A forensic audit conducted by an audit firm has revealed how the immediate past government of Abia State approved funds to contractors for the construction of non-existent state-owned airport and other infrastructure.

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti made the revelation during a presentation at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Washington DC, United States.

He spoke on the theme, ‘Dynamics of State Governance, Economic Transition and the Challenges of Seeking to Establish a New Order Amidst Multiple Constraints and Pushbacks.’

Otti said it is difficult to admit how some Nigerian leaders contest elections for reasons shrouded in corruption.

The governor who took over from Okezie Ikpeazu in 2023 explained that some politicians have abused the privilege of governance thereby impoverishing their states.

Otti explained how he engaged one of the top audit firms to examine the state accounts, adding that the auditor uncovered several deals that are shrouded in corruption.

He said, “Talking about corruption, I set up a forensic audit as soon as I took over last year in Abia so that there won’t be any argument, I called in one of the top three audit firms in the world and not too long ago, they sent in their report and some of the things in the report are frightening.

“So, N9.3bn was paid to seven contractors for contracts that were not executed at all up till today. Another N15.9bn- almost N16bn was paid to 63 contractors with no supporting documents anywhere in the State.

“Another N12bn was paid to two contractors for contracts that did not exist. Out of this figure, N10bn was on September 25, 2020- that is almost four years, paid to some contractors for the construction of Abia State Airport.

“We have spent time trying to locate the airport and up till now, we have failed.”

Otti told his audience that one of his aides advised him to seek Artificial Intelligence (AI) in search of the airport.

“So, as we continue to look for our airport, we have also involved security agencies to help us search.”

Otti explained that the N37.2bn spent on ghost projects is what happens when politicians fail to understand the role of governance and economic integration.

According to Otti, a lack of accountability enables “mindless stealing of resources from the people,”. The governor lamented how impoverishing the populace promotes incompetence and damages trust in public institutions.

He said the evidence of the lack of ingenuity of politicians is how Nigerian states struggle to pay salaries and pensions.

Earlier in April 2024, Otti lamented that the state was plunged into debt of N192bn by his predecessor, Ikpeazu. He further revealed how his predecessor also inherited N34.5bn debt from T.A. Orji.

This report was updated to reflect that N9.3bn was paid to seven contractors and not N79.3bn. The report was also adjusted to reflect that the aggregate figure paid to all the 72 contractors was N37.2bn, not N107.2bn.

[Src: THE WHISTLER]

The Kenya Police Service has arrested fleeing Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, as the International Criminal Police Organisation moves to extradite him to Nigeria within the week.

Government sources familiar with the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the matter confirmed the development to our correspondent on Sunday night.

One of the sources said, “Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has been arrested by the Kenya Police Service, and he would be extradited to Nigeria this week by INTERPOL.”

Another source noted, “As we had said before that Anjarwalla would be extradited, he has been arrested in Kenya, and he’ll be extradited to Nigeria this week.”

The PUNCH had exclusively reported that the Federal Government had traced Anjarwalla to Kenya, following his escape from lawful custody in Nigeria.

Following the development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the International Criminal Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenyan Police Service have deepened talks to quicken Anjarwalla’s extradition.

In the earlier report, Saturday PUNCH reported that Anjarwalla, whose cover has now been blown, went into hiding immediately after he landed in Kenya.

“We have found him. We know where he is; he is in Kenya, and we’re working with the authorities to bring him back to Nigeria.

“All hands are on the deck, the government and all the security agencies are working hard in conjunction with the Kenyan authorities and INTERPOL, to ensure his return to Nigeria to face the charges brought against him,” the report had quoted a source as saying.

Meanwhile, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had in the March edition of its bulletin titled, “EFCC Alert,” onfirmed that the commission was working in conjunction with the International Criminal Police Organisation, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation, the governments of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Kenya to extradite Anjarwalla.

Olukoyed said, “The takeover of the prosecution of Binance chiefs by the commission is no less a strong message in the direction of EFCC’s resolve to hedge in distortions and disruptions in the country’s forex market.

“Tax evasion, currency speculation, and money laundering to the tune of $35,400,000 and are at the foundation of the Commission’s five counts against Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, the company’s chief executives.

“While Gambaryan is currently in the Commission’s net, the process of extraditing the fleeing Anjarwalla is revving in full swing. Involved in partnership with the EFCC to nick Anjarwalla in flight are the International Criminal Police Organisation, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, the governments of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Kenya as the clock winds down to his arraignment in absentia alongside the company and Gambaryan.”

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has secured the nomination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming November 16 governorship election, following his declaration as the party’s candidate.

Aiyedatiwa clinched the nomination with a resounding victory, amassing a total of 48,569 votes in the primaries. His closest contender, Mayowa Akinfolarin, trailed behind with 15,343 votes, while Chief Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo. Governor Ododo, reflecting on the competitive nature of the primaries, highlighted the rigorous contest that characterized the electoral process.

The primaries, held across the 18 council areas of Ondo State, witnessed fervent participation from party members and supporters.

With the nomination secured, Aiyedatiwa and the APC now shift their focus to consolidating support and rallying behind their candidate as they prepare to face off against opponents in the November election.

Returning officer in lfedore, Oliver Okpala said violence marred the exercise in the area, hence no voting in all the wards.

Speaking before the party’s electoral officers reeled out the results from the 18 council areas, Governor Usman Ododo said, “Let’s remember that the real election lies with all of us as members of this great party, the All Progessives Congress.

“We must always reflect on the words of our father and leader, President Bola Tinubu, who has maintained that a political contest is a quest to serve by brothers and sisters from the same family but leaving in the same room and must therefore live in the same house after the election has been won and lost.

“In our own room today, we are all in the same room as a family, and as such, we have no need to abandon the party, irrespective of today’s outcome.

” We must set aside our differences and unite behind our candidate.

“In our unity, we shall continue to find strength, and our victory lies in our solidarity as party men and women.”

RESULTS

Total number of voters 117922
Total number of accredited voters 95,178
Total votes cast 95178
Invalid- Nil

Jimi Odimayo 490
Omogoroye Judith 115
Aiyedatiwa 48,569
Kekemeke 1045
Soji Ehinlanwo 492
Olugbenga Edema 395
Jimoh lbrahim 9456
Adekojo Funmilayo 529
Akinfolarin Samuel 15343
Wale Akinterinwa 1952
Olusola Oke 14,915
Olamide Ohunyeye 424
Morayo Lebi 290
Diran lyantan 348
Prof Dayo Faduyile 353
Ife Oyedele 462

1:ILAJE LG
Lucky Aiyedatiwa 2,485
Wale Akinterinwa. 26
Olusola Oke. 2,511
Jimoh Ibrahim 589

2: Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Jimoh Ibrahim: 282
AIYEDATIWA: 1225
WA: 474

3: Ondo West LG:
Jimoh Ibrahim: 2668
AIYEDATIWA: 10610

4: ESE-ODO LG
Aiyedatiwa 298
Akinterinwa 0
Oke 147
Jimoh Ibrahim 174

5: OWO LG

Aiyedatiwa 2,123
Akinterinwa. 345
Oke 225
Jimoh Ibrahim 192

6: IDANRE LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 579
Akinterinwa 119
Oke 225
Jimoh Ibrahim 120

7: AKOKO NORTH EAST LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 664
Akinterinwa 135
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 505

8: AKOKO NORTH WEST LG

Aiyedatiwa 5, 430
Akinterinwa 198
Oke 2, 721
Jimoh Ibrahim 728

9: AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG

Aiyedatiwa 2, 533
Akinterinwa 43
Oke 391
Jimoh Ibrahim 67

10: AKOKO SOUTH WEST LG

Aiyedatiwa 2, 747
Akinterinwa 272
Oke 415
Jimoh Ibrahim 466

11: NO RESULT FOR IFEDORE LGA.

ALL ASPIRANTS SCORED ZERO ACCORDING TO THE RETURNING OFFICER DUE TO AN ALLEGED SHOOTING.

12: OSE LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 091
Akinterinwa 39
Oke 800
Jimoh Ibrahim 267

13: IRELE LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 203
Akinterinwa 15
Oke 93
Jimoh Ibrahim 139

14: ODIGBO LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 631
Akinterinwa 114
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 845

15: AKURE NORTH LG

Aiyedatiwa 2, 860
Akinterinwa 177
Oke 1, 239
Jimoh Ibrahim 1, 606

16: AKURE SOUTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 3, 265
Akinterinwa 86
Oke 328
Jimoh Ibrahim 294

17 OKITIPUPA LG

Aiyedatiwa 1, 622
Akinterinwa 27
Oke 1, 571
Jimoh Ibrahim 109

18: ONDO EAST LG

Aiyedatiwa 4, 803
Akinterinwa 141
Oke 1, 171
Jimoh Ibrahim 406

All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders have stressed the need for the Lagos State chapter of the party to give its governorship ticket to former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2027, asserting that he possessed the Midas touch to transform the state if given the opportunity again.

This assertion comes in response to a call by an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), stating that the next governor must be one of their own, a Muslim.

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders in Lagos, Dr. Oluwaseyi Bamigbade said the call became imperative because Ambode’s four-year tenure as governor from 2015 to 2019 witnessed massive infrastructure development in the state. 

Bamigbade, while making the call, noted that numerous groups were consistently yearning for Ambode’s return in 2027 to continue his Midas touch in Lagos’ development agenda. He expressed the belief that Ambode should be given the opportunity for a second term in the Government House as permitted by the constitution.

The APC chieftain recalled that Ambode, as governor, remodeled the state within four years in office, making it an investment destination for big businesses from within and outside the country.

Furthermore, he stated that the former governor significantly impacted the lives of millions of Lagosians during the same period, causing a paradigm shift by extending government attention from urban centers to the suburbs. Ambode opened up narrow roads, transforming them into modern streets with lights that also connected to arterial highways. This approach to project execution facilitated seamless traffic flow on expressways.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Toyin Abraham has sent a message to her colleague, Funke Akindele.

Speaking via a lengthy Instagram post, Abraham praised Akindele for her hard work and for setting a pace in the industry.

Abraham said their rivalry began in the Yoruba movie industry and carried over to Nigerian-English cinema when they moved to Nollywood.

The thespian said she and Akindele are competitive women who love to win, and in the process, they splash dirt on each other.

Abraham, however, said age and wisdom have made her realize that they can compete without being negatively competitive.

She wrote, “In the English industry, Aunty Funke and I continued the rivalry sort of. It pitted our fans against each other. We are two competitive Virgo women, we love to win and sometimes in that process, we splash dirt and mud. But with time, age, and more wisdom, I have realized we can compete without being negatively competitive.

“Aunty Funke, I celebrate you for showing us what is possible. You are a winner. You sold over 1B, you made it possible for other women to dream. You ran us street with that 1B o, this year, many of us will move to 1B and we pray God makes you bigger. Thank you for making great movies and selling them like your life depends on it. You taught other women to hustle harder.

“I had set records in box office records, and Aunty came and beat them today I am happy because she has challenged me to set higher goals. Sis, let’s compliment each other even in competition at the box office, I owe you one post in December (only 1 o, I need to sell market…Lol). I pray that God will make all your dreams come true. I admire you and wish you all the best.”

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Sunday announced that it has sanctioned some officials over the harassment of a female Hijab-wearing candidate.

The female candidate who sat her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination at the Bafuto Institute, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop, Ejigbo, Lagos was said to have been asked to remove her headcover during the accreditation process before being allowed into the examination hall.

Addressing the issue in a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of the Board, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Board noted that it deeply regretted the incident.

It said on investigation, it discovered that the incident or others in the past were not linked to any of its examination guidelines but rather a product of the misplaced priority of some of the Board’s accredited partners or officials who claimed ignorance of the its guidelines on accreditation.

The statement read, “This situation was instantly addressed by a senior official of the Board at the center and the candidate in question was allowed in after the usual checks with her hijab.

“However, since ignorance of the law is not an excuse, the officials have been appropriately sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others, who might wish to toe the same line going forward.

“It is worthy of note that the Board, as a national institution, has no policy barring candidates from sporting the religious paraphernalia peculiar to their religious persuasions as these are the facts of everyday life in Nigeria, which everyone should have been familiar with by now.” 

Furthermore, the Board assured the general public that the issue would be properly investigated as to prevent a recurrence.

“The Board is committed to the discharge of its statutory role of ensuring that suitably qualified candidates are selected for admission into the nation’s tertiary institutions and would not allow anything or anyone to detract it from the pursuit of this noble goal,” it reiterated.

Meanwhile, the conduct of 2024 UTME, which commenced on Friday, 19th April 2024, has been marred with reports of technical glitches as over 1.2 million candidates would have successfully taken the examination by Monday, 22nd April 2024.

A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has contrasted the leadership of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, with that of the Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government Area in Lagos State, asserting the latter’s administration as superior.

Obi served as the Anambra State Governor from June 2007 to March 2014.

“The Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government Area in Lagos State has more achievements in governance than Peter Obi,” Omokri said in an interview on the ‘Mic On Podcast’ programme hosted by a Channels Television’s journalist, Seun Okinbaloye, late Saturday.

“I know for a fact that the Eti-Osa Local Government Chairman has built at least, to my knowledge, three schools,” Omokri affirmed.

The social media influencer also challenged the Obidients – adherents of Obi, to mention a school built by the latter in his eight years as governor of the Southeastern state.

He noted that while Obi was the Anambra State Governor, he didn’t start, complete and inaugurate a school.

Omokri said, “I am giving a challenge. I will give any (Obidient) $10,000 if they can name one school that Peter Obi started, completed and commissioned while he was governor,” debunking views that Obi was better than former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso and President Bola Tinubu in terms of infrastructural developments.

Upon Obi’s end of tenure as the state governor in 2014, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party to run as a running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2019 presidential election.

The election was later lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari under the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Omokri, a former aide to erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan, recalled how he encouraged Obi to tread “the best path” for his presidential ambition.

“…Peter Obi cannot deny that I was the one who recommended him to Waziri Atiku Abubakar. Waziri Atiku Abubakar asked me to help him to choose a running mate.

“I called former President Jonathan, I discussed with him. Former President Jonathan told me, ‘Look, it must be Peter Obi’ and then I told former President Jonathan that I can’t just give this man only one name and so we padded the list with some other people’s names and then we put Peter Obi’s name and made it so rosy.

“And, Waziri Atiku Abubakar chose Peter Obi,” the social media influencer stated, adding that “Peter Obi was the best person at that time.”

However, Omokri lamented that despite his efforts, Obi didn’t heed his advice. 

He said, “I told Peter Obi that the best path to the presidency for him is to run as Waziri Atiku Abubakar’s running mate and then be loyal to him.

“And then, when Waziri finishes his tenure, naturally the baton will change from the present to him. He didn’t listen to me.”

The former presidential aide noted that Obi wasn’t posited to win the 2023 election but rather, he (Obi) would “split the Peoples Democratic Party votes and make it possible for Bola Tinubu to win.

“If you contest, you are not going to win. The only thing that you’re going to achieve in contesting is that you are going to split the People’s Democratic Party votes and make it possible for Bola Tinubu to win,” Omokri added.

“In terms of education, Peter Obi is the least educationally qualified among the others. In terms of achievement while in office, he doesn’t come close to any of Tinubu and Atiku at all.

“At the end of the day, if you hold the presidential election 10 times, Peter Obi is still not going to win,” Omokri added.

Obi contested for the presidency in the 2023 election as the Labour Party’s candidate. Both he and Abubakar eventually lost to Tinubu. 

Omokri also dismissed reports that he wasn’t supposed to make comments bordering on the nation’s economic challenges, saying that he doesn’t live in the country.

While reacting to this, he said, “I’m an employer of labour in Nigeria,” saying that his critics should visit the Corporate Affairs Commission to verify.

The Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), has reportedly concluded plans to launch a radio station for the use of the terrorist group.

Naija News understands the plan of the ISWAP group is to set up an online radio station to spread its propaganda.

Makama, in his post, raised concerns about the implications of the plan by the ISWAP terrorist group as the move is a strong signal to authorities in the sub-region that the insurgency has continued to be dynamic in adopting various means of propaganda.

“The recruitment pace of the insurgency has still not been effectively halted and online media propaganda by the terror group has continued to play a key role in ensuring that the terrorist groups remain visible.

“This is effectively drawn by intense propaganda moves in making effort to draw significant attention to the organization’s sustained presence and reach. The attendant effect, continues to imply recycling of fighters as the backbone of ISIS recruitment campaign, support to affiliated groups and directives for full fledged attacks.

“It becomes necessary to sustain effort in INFO OPs as well to bring down and disconnect associated notorious terrorist websites to bolster the network of affiliated group members,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the fresh suspension of the party’s national Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from the party.

Naija News earlier reported that another APC faction had also suspended Ganduje.

Reacting to the development on Sunday, the chairman and secretary of Ganduje ward in Dawakin Tofa local government of Kano state, Ahmed Muhammed Ganduje and Usaini Jibrinn said no new election was conducted by the state or national body of the APC.

Speaking via a statement made available to Naija News, the duo said the sponsored group could not do their homework properly by using a fake or uncertified headed paper on which they drew a list of non existing party executive.

“To the best of our knowledge, as executive members of Ganduje ward of the APC, there was no new election of new leadership of our party. We remain the same executive of the ward,” the statement added.

The executive members subsequently called on the national body to facilitate the arrest and persecution of the group for impersonators attempting to cause persecution of the group for impersonation.

They also called on party members to disregard such propaganda aimed at disrupting the party.