A Nigerian man, identified as Yomi Olayeye has been arrested and charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and identity theft for his alleged role in a $10 million pandemic unemployment assistance fraud scheme in the United States.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts under the Department of Justice revealed this in a statement posted on its website on Monday.
The statement read, “A Nigerian man was arrested on Aug. 13, 2024 upon arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on charges that he and other conspired to fraudulently obtain at least $10 million in COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
“Yomi Jones Olayeye, a/k/a “Sabbie,” 40, of Lagos, Nigeria, is charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. He made an initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York on Aug. 14, 2024 and will appear in federal court in Boston tomorrow.
“According to the charging document, between March and July 2020, Olayeye and others defrauded three pandemic assistance programs administrated by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and other states’ unemployment insurance agencies: traditional unemployment insurance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).”
Olayeye and his co-conspirators were alleged to have used stolen personal information to apply for unemployment benefits in multiple states, including Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Indiana.
The statement added, “In total, Olayeye and his co-conspirators allegedly applied for at least $10 million in fraudulent UI, PUA and FPUC from Massachusetts, Hawaii, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Montana, Maine, Ohio and Washington and received more than $1.5 million in assistance to which they were not entitled.
“Specifically, Olayeye and his co-conspirators allegedly used personally identifiable information (PII) they purchased over criminal internet forums to apply for UI, PUA and FPUC – falsely representing themselves to be eligible state residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Olayeye and his co-conspirators allegedly used the same fraudulently obtained PII to open U.S. bank and prepaid debit card accounts to receive the assistance payments. It is also alleged that Olayeye and his co-conspirators recruited U.S.-based account holders to receive and transfer the fraud proceeds via cash transfer applications.”
They were also alleged to have used the benefits to purchase Bitcoin and concealed their connection to Nigeria by using US-based IP addresses.
“Olayeye and his co-conspirators then allegedly used the fraudulent proceeds to purchase Bitcoin via online marketplaces.
“It is further alleged that Olayeye and his co-conspirators concealed the conspiracy’s connection to Nigeria by leasing Internet Protocol addresses assigned to computers located in the United States for use in the fraudulent transactions,” the statement read.
The United States Department of Justice further explained that if convicted, Olayeye faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, forfeiture, and restitution.
The statement added,”The charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, fforfeiture,and restitution.
“The charge of aggravated identity theft calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison to be added to any sentence imposed on the wire fraud charge.
“Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.”
The Attorney General was reported to have established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021 to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across the government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud
[Punch]
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it recorded remittance inflows of $553 million in July.
This is a 130 percent increase from the corresponding period in 2023, the CBN said in a statement on Tuesday, signed by Hakama Sidi Ali, its acting director of corporate communications.
More to follow…
[TheCable]
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed that its President, Joe Ajaero, has been summoned by the police over allegations of terrorism financing and other related offenses.
The confirmation was made in a statement by the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, on Monday evening. The police had invited Ajaero for questioning regarding charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
According to the invitation letter dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence, Ajaero’s name surfaced in ongoing investigations related to the alleged offenses.
In his statement, Upah said, “A personal message sent to Comrade Joe Ajaero by SP Moshood said, ‘We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation), but the place was locked, sir.’”
Upah expressed concerns, noting that staff were present at the office beyond 6 pm and questioned why Ajaero was not addressed by his official title as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
He added, “Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress.”
Upah also recalled that prior to the raid, the NLC had advised the government to engage in dialogue with organizers of a recent protest, despite the congress distancing itself from the event. The congress had also condemned the high casualty rate resulting from police action during the protest and demanded an apology from the police and the government.
“At its world press conference last Thursday, the congress had raised the alarm that should anything happen to the leadership of the congress or any of its members, the police should be held accountable,” Upah continued.
He concluded by questioning the motive behind the police action, stating, “The question on the lips of those in the know is: Who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation?”
It is worth recalling that security agents conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja on July 7.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has stated that it has not made any fuel subsidy payment to anyone in the last nine months.
The disclosure was made on Monday by the Chief Financial Officer of the company, Alhaji Umar Ajiya in Abuja.
According to Ajiya, NNPC Ltd only handles Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) importation shortfalls between the company and the federation.
“In the last eight to nine months, NNPC Ltd. has not paid anybody a dime as a subsidy; no one has been paid Kobo by NNPC Ltd. in the name of subsidy. No marketer has received any money from us by way of subsidy.
“What has been happening is that we have been importing PMS, which has been landing at a specific cost price, and the government tells us to sell it at half price. “So the difference between the landing price and that half price is a shortfall.
“And the deal is between the Federation and NNPC Ltd., to reconcile, sometimes they give us money, so there is no money exchanging hands with any marketer in the name of subsidy,” he stated.
Speaking further, Ajiya said credit lines are prevalent in the downstream business based on the worldwide commercial system,
He revealed that NNPC Ltd. has had an open credit agreement with PMS suppliers in the past, with term lines agreement for payment.
Elisha Abbo, a former lawmaker who represented Adamawa North in the Senate, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the salary of senators.
For years on end, Nigerians have kicked against what they considered humongous salaries that are paid to federal lawmakers.
Recall that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo recently called out federal lawmakers for determining their own salaries and allowances, calling it immoral.
“You are not supposed to fix your salaries or allowances; it is supposed to be done by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
“With all due respect, you know it’s not right; it is not right for me to be the one to determine what I pay myself; it is immoral, and you are doing it; the Senate is doing it,” Obasanjo said.
The Senate, however, debunked the claims by Obasanjo, calling them lies.
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) also stated that each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06m in salary and allowances per month.
Speaking on the matter, Abbo stated that the monthly earnings of senators are not a lot of money.
In an interview on Arise Television, Abbo noted that their monthly take home is only “big on paper” and not enough for the demands and challenges of their office.
Abbo recalled that his salary and allowances while serving as a senator was N14.4 million monthly, while current senators earn up to N29 million monthly.
He said: “When I was in the Senate, cumulatively, all the allowances were N14.4 million per month. You have a wardrobe allowance, a vehicle allowance, and other allowances put together that were N14.4 million, including the N1 million salary.
“It is about N29 million now. N29 million looks big on paper
“I’m saying this as an honest man. I’m not trying to support the National Assembly, and I’ve been a member of that vilified institution for five years. I am not standing with them, but I’ll bear the facts on the table.”
Speaking further, he said he became poorer after quitting his business to become a lawmaker.
He said: “I had to leave the company I founded, in which I was the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, to go into governance when I won the election.
“I had to start subsiding my life because the money that was allocated to my office was absolutely nothing considering the demand and challenges faced by my own constituents on a daily basis.
“I had a case of just one person I took to the hospital; I spent N14 million on one person.
“And every month, from all over Adamawa State and other states, my office was besieged with people looking for help.
“I had to start calling some state governors to help me with cases that are being brought from their states into my office.”
The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved the appointment of an additional 1,192 aides to his government.
The latest development was confirmed in a communique issued Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade.
“The aides include Yakubu Abdulhakeem, who will serve as the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Office for Disability, 165 Senior Special Assistants, and 36 Special Assistants.
“Others on the list approved by the governor are 574 Ward Special Assistants and 290 Local Government Special Assistants,” the statement noted.
Ododo has also approved the appointment of Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulsadiq as the Director of Protocol for the First Lady’s Office, alongside other members of the First Lady’s retinue.
The governor congratulated all the appointees, emphasizing the importance of dedicating their utmost service to the state and the broader global community.
Furthermore, Ayoade announced that all appointments would be officially effective from September 1, 2024.
Why We Appointed 717 Ward Special Assistants – Kogi Govt
Earlier, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, provided insight into the recent appointment of 717 Ward Special Assistants by Governor Usman Ododo.
According to Fanwo, these appointments are part of the Governor’s strategy to deepen democracy and ensure that governance is participatory, particularly at the grassroots level.
During a press briefing in Lokoja, Fanwo emphasized that Governor Ododo is committed to empowering the people by selecting Special Assistants who are deeply connected with the rural communities they serve.
“The Governor is determined to ensure grassroots participation in governance. He doesn’t want to be detached from the hopes and aspirations of the grassroots. We have learnt from past experiences, and we should be able to put those lessons to use,” Fanwo stated.
Reflecting on past administrations, Fanwo pointed out that many previously appointed Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants were often disconnected from grassroots realities, as they resided primarily in the state capital.
He said, “In the past, many of the Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants that were appointed lived in the state capital and did not relate with the grassroots people. There was a gap between the pulse at the grassroots and the impression of the Government. But with this novel appointment strategy, the people at the grassroots are already jubilating over the commendable inclusive governance.
“Those appointed are those who sleep and wake up in those Wards. They don’t live outside of their Wards, and they will be the foot soldiers of the Government in achieving the Consolidation Agenda of the Ododo Administration.”
Addressing concerns about the potential increase in governance costs due to the high number of appointees, Fanwo clarified that the salaries of three Ward Special Assistants are equivalent to what a single Senior Special Assistant would earn.
Edo PDP decries harassment, unlawful arrest, and abduction of party chieftains by the Nigerian Police Force
Admin
It has become imperative to highlight the disturbing pattern of harassment, unlawful arrest, and the kidnap of chieftains of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the three (3) senatorial districts of the State by some policemen suspected to be from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja who are believed to have been paid huge sums of money by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
These police officers allegedly led by one CSP Ibrahim Angbasa, have been operating outside the scope of their job, carrying AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons and moving around the State in Hummer buses and Hilux vans, to harass and abduct our party chieftains across the State.
These policemen are said to be deployed by one DC Sanusi Muhammad of the IRT, Force Headquarters, in Abuja.
Another police officer, DC Patrick Ejedawe, from Uromi, Edo Central, popularly called “Citadel”, is also said to be in active connivance with these unauthorized police officers to carry out these dastardly acts in the State.
These policemen have since the onset of their sinister operations arrested some of our party members, including Mr Amos Tom, and Hon. Kingsley Osahon, the Councillor representing Ward 10 in Esan North East Local Government Area, along with several others whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
We are also aware that they have compiled a list of prominent PDP chieftains from across the State’s three senatorial districts, and even procured fake court warrants of arrest with names of PDP members, whom they plan to abduct to weaken the PDP ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 21, 2024. Among the names believed to be on this list include, Chief Odion Olaye, Chief Francis Inegbiniki, Chief B. Olukoga, Mr Festus Osaigbovo,Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, among others whose identities have yet to be confirmed.
It is rather unfortunate that while the PDP is diligently working, moving from ward to ward and local government to local government actively campaigning across various platforms, articulating their programmes and initiatives for the people of Edo State, the APC is attempting to weaponize the police against the people because they know they have a defective and unmarketable candidate and cannot win under any circumstance in a free, fair and credible election. Their only strategy is to use what they term federal might to harass and intimidate opposition parties into submission in their quest to secure electoral victory through subterfuge.
The Police officers, who are being compromised to do the wishes of the APC, must remember that they are funded by tax payer’s money and must not allow themselves to be used by the APC against the people, in pursuit of their selfish political gains. The Nigeria Police is for all Nigerians and not for some powerful members of the ruling Party at the Federal Government.
At the *RALLY * held in one of the Senatorial districts, the former Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shuaibu was boasting and issuing threats to the PDP, daring them to come out that day if they have two “heads”.
He even boasted that only one act from him has sent the PDP hiding, and further said there are SCENES 2-5 loading.
This has given credence to our shouts that what the APC sponsored and committed at the airport and on airport road in Benin on 18/07/2024 the day he came to try to violently take over office, was scripted from Abuja with the APC gubernatorial candidate.
It is pertinent to note that the days in which political parties win elections by wanton intimidation are far gone and Edo people are going to stand firm in resistance to any form of harassment and intimidation by any group or persons, no matter how highly placed.
We also want to categorically state that the Nigeria Police Force is not on the ballot for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, as it now appears to us that we are now contesting against the APC/ The Nigeria Police.
It is therefore important that they, in the interest of peace and security in the State and country, read the mood of the nation and conduct themselves professionally as we approach the elections and ensure that they maintain law and order which is their constitutional responsibility.
We believe that this devious resort to harassment and intimidation is a recipe for anarchy and we are therefore calling on the Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 5, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, and other security agencies to step in and stop these harassments and intimidation by these suspected band of APC police operatives believed to be on illegal duty, to prevent a descent to anarchy in the State.
We also call on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), other stakeholders and the international community to turn their attention to Edo State and take note of this rather disturbing pattern of harassment and intimidation by the police as sponsored by the APC in the build-up to the Edo State Governorship election slated for September 21.
Efforts must be intensified to monitor activities leading up to the elections to ensure that government institutions, especially the police, do not undermine the wishes of the people at the polls.
As a responsible Party and campaign Organization, we shall continue to abide by the rules of engagement as spelt out in the constitution and the Electoral Act. We will continue to market our candidates to the Edo People and resist every form of harassment and intimidation by any institution or agency of GOVERNMENT.
One thing is sure, come September 21, Edo people will come out en-masse to show their resolve to remain under the umbrella of the PDP in the State by casting their votes for the party’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and will stay to defend their votes, and no amount of threat, intimidation and harassment will stop the people or hinder the defeat that awaits the APC at the polls.
Hon. Matthew A Iduoriyekemwen
Director General
Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council
![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Appoints Chairman of National Hajj Commission](/media/k2/items/cache/dea26aba86354765c3d432cce3c8e035_S.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence -- the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.
He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Appoints New Management Team For The Niger Delta Power Holding Company
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Appoints New Management Team For The Niger Delta Power Holding Company](/media/k2/items/cache/06955a1fbb225550e2a430eac74cefea_S.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new management team for the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
The new members of the management of the company are as follows:
(1) Engineer Jennifer Adighije -- Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
(2) Engineer Abdullahi Kassim -- Executive Director (Generation)
(3) Engineer Bello Babayo Bello -- Executive Director (Networks)
(4) Mr. Emmmanuel Umeoji -- Executive Director (Corporate Services)
(5) Mr. Omololu Agoro -- Executive Director (Finance & Accounts)
(6) Engineer Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama -- Executive Director (Strategy & Commercial)
(7) Barrister Steven Andzenge -- Executive Director (Legal Services)
The new NDPHC Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Jennifer Adighije, is an experienced engineer with vast competencies across management functions in the private and public sectors.
She holds a master's degree in Wireless Networks & Telecommunications from Queen Mary University of London, UK, and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
The President expects the new members of the management of the company to deploy their expertise and experience to drive NDPHC's mandate of effectively managing the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
Nigerian university lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government for a planned nationwide strike.
The notice is part of the resolutions reached at the national executive council meeting of the union, which was held at the University of Ibadan at the weekend.
Although the union is yet to make its position public, a senior member of the union told our correspondent in Abuja that the lecturers agreed to put the Federal Government on a 21-day notice before embarking on the planned industrial action.
ASUU in July this year threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.
The Chairman of the ASUU Gashua branch in Yobe State, Melemi Abatcha, in a press briefing at Damaturu, the state capital in July, outlined funding for the revitalisation of Nigerian public universities, and the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement as the major issues plaguing the educational sector.
“Funding for the revitalisation of Nigeria public universities i.e. improved infrastructure, conducive teaching/learning environments, students and staff accommodation, equipping of laboratories and libraries. Consequently, the Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities have remained on the same salary structure since 2009.
“Even with the directive of Federal Executive Council (FEC) for removal of ASUU from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform since December 2023 till now, ASUU members are still being paid via the obnoxious platform (IPPIS),” he said in a statement.
Among other issues highlighted include university autonomy, the proliferation of public universities, the backlog of earning academic allowances amounting to N50bn, and the withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries of its members across the country.
Prior to that threat, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had on June 26, invited the union for a meeting to deliberate on the lingering issues affecting the universities. However, ASUU members say nothing substantial has since been done about their demands.
More...
The Nigeria Police Force has invited the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero for questioning over an alleged link to terrorism financing and other allegations.
This was contained in a letter issued from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team, Department of Force Intelligence.
The letter, which was signed by Adamu S. Muazu, threatened that failure to honour the invitation would lead to arrest.
According to the letter, the IRT is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrimes.
Reacting to the letter, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his office X handle, called for action against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
He wrote: “The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime is going completely fascist, and we must all together and stop him now! See a letter from @PoliceNG summoning @NLCHeadquarters President @JoeAjaero94024 practically accusing him of treason, terrorism financing and all sorts of heinous crimes. #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #RevolutionNow”.
Fuel Subsidy: Inconsistency Between Your Words, Actions Erode The Credibility Of Your Govt – Atiku Knocks Tinubu
AFOLABI
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of continuing the fuel subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit despite previous claims that it has ended.
Naija News reports that Atiku, in a statement via X on Monday, berated Tinubu’s administration for lack of transparency on fuel subsidy, especially with recent reports suggesting otherwise.
The former Vice President opined that such inconsistency between Tinubu’s words and actions significantly eroded his administration’s credibility.
Atiku also pointed to the ongoing fuel scarcity and rising energy costs as evidence of the administration’s failure, describing the delays in the re-operation of the Port Harcourt refinery as a national disgrace.
Atiku further condemned the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited for its denials of the ongoing subsidy payments, arguing that these denials only worsen the hardships faced by Nigerians.
He called on Tinubu’s administration to urgently clarify its stance on the subsidy policy and address the ongoing issues in the downstream petroleum sector.
The statement reads, “The latest revelations circulating through credible media outlets regarding the federal government’s covert continuation of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) represent another chapter in the opaque governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This development starkly contrasts with the President’s firm assertions in a national broadcast, which followed closely on the heels of public protests decrying poor governance, where he declared the subsidy regime concluded. However, disclosures prior to his announcement have consistently indicated a resurgence of subsidy payments, albeit through less transparent means.
“This dissonance between the President’s words and his actions not only undermines the moral fabric of his leadership but also significantly erodes the credibility of his administration. At a time when the nation grapples with severe fuel scarcity and escalating energy costs, the continued delays in the re-operation of the Port Harcourt refinery stand as a national disgrace — a failure that rests firmly on the shoulders of President Tinubu, who also holds the office of the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
“Moreover, the persistent denials by NNPC Limited only exacerbate the plight of Nigerians, who endure severe difficulties due to fuel shortages and resultant price inflations. Amidst a contentious dispute between local investors favouring refinery operations and those advocating for imported PMS, the President’s silence is profoundly disconcerting.
“It is paramount that the President, who is intrinsically responsible for overseeing and intervening in such critical disputes to safeguard national interests, steps up to fulfil these expectations. The veil of secrecy shrouding the downstream petroleum sector, coupled with alarming reports of NNPC Limited diverting funds intended for other purposes to cover subsidy payments, adds layers of confusion that are unbearably unsettling.
“If these reports hold true, they portend grave implications for the integrity of our fiscal federalism. It is imperative, therefore, that the Tinubu administration urgently clarifies the entanglements surrounding the subsidy policy and the refining of PMS. Only through transparent governance can Nigerians hope to find relief from the current debilitating conditions of fuel scarcity and the spiralling inflation affecting petroleum products.”
President Bola Tinubu-led administration, on Monday, unveiled the new Airbus A330 purchased under his leadership.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who released the pictures, said it replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the Presidency of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Onanuga, however, did not reveal the amount spent by the Nigeria Goverment to acquire the new presidential jet.
He said it saved Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
Onanuga said, “The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has departed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for France.
The Airbus A330 business jet conveying the President and some of his key aides lifted off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 04:08 pm.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, announced that the President will embark on his fourth trip to the European country on Monday, August 19, departing from Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Below are pictures of the aircraft:
The Federal Government has announced that the sale of Crude Oil to Dangote refinery in naira will commence on October 1.
Federal Ministry of Finance made this known in a statement via its X handle on Monday.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, emphasised the need for transparency and directed the Technical Sub-Committee to finalize details and prepare a report for the President, noting that his directives are on track for implementation from September.
The latest development comes amidst controversies on the sale of crude oil to the Dangote refinery, with claims of sabotaging the refinery operations.
The statement reads, “The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, today led the Implementation Committee meeting on the transition to Crude Oil Sales in Naira. The meeting reviewed progress on key initiatives, including the upcoming commencement of Naira payments for crude oil sales to the Dangote Refinery starting October 1, 2024.
“Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service @FIRSNigeria and Chairman of the Technical Sub Committee, reported that the first PMS delivery from Dangote is expected next month under existing agreements.
“Key roles were outlined for stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority @NMDPRA_Official Central Bank of Nigeria @cenbank Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission @NUPRCofficial
and the African Export-Import Bank @afreximbank to ensure smooth implementation. Updates on the Port Harcourt and Dangote Refineries were also provided, with significant production increases expected from November 2024.
“The Honourable Minister emphasized the need for transparency and directed the Technical Sub-Committee to finalize details and prepare a report for the President, confirming that his directives are on track for implementation from September.”