How I was used to steal N168.5m from FG through subsidy ― former banker

A former employee of Sterling Bank, Chumwuemeka Ekwunife, on Wednesday narrated how a businesswoman and oil marketer, one Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma used him to steal the sum of N168.5m from the Federal Government of Nigeria using subsidy scheme.

Ekwunife made this revelation before an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos where he is standing trial on an 8 count charge of stealing.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), had arraigned Ekwunife and Structured Energy Limited for stealing a total sum of N168.5m from several companies.

The EFCC alleged that Ekwunife, at different times in 2014, stole the said sum of money from, M.R.S oil and Gas, Exit Energy limited, Globin oil and Gas limited, Bond Energy, Greenage Energy Limited – all properties of Nepal Oil and Gas Limited.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant stole the money in tranches of N19m, N9m, N85m, N25m, and N6.5m sometimes in August, October and November 2014 from the complaint, Nepal Oil and Gas limited.

However, during Wednesday’s proceedings, Ekwunife told the court that one Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, owner of Nepal Oil and Gas Limited, used him to facilitate false documentation in Liberia in order to obtain money from the FG through subsidy scheme.

Ekwunife, while led in defence by his lawyer, Mr Eubena Amedie, said that he helped Mrs Ekeoma register several companies in Liberia to enable her to carry out various importation of petroleum products particularly Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), under the petroleum scheme fund (subsidy scheme) with the FG.

The former banker, who was formerly a Credit Relationship Manager of Sterling Bank, said he resigned from the bank in 2014 after Mrs. Ekeoma pleaded with him to join her business and help her provide credit facilities for her companies.

He said: “I met the Managing Director of Nepal Oil and Gas limited, Ngozi Ekeoma in 2010 while I was working with Sterling Bank as a Credit Relationship Manager. Mrs. Ekeoma was a customer of the bank and so she came to me to help her provide credit facilities to various companies that she introduced to the bank.

“She introduced companies as Nepal Oil and Gas Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Carnival Energy Oil and Gas Limited.

“So I provided credit facilities for these companies that enabled her to carry out various importations of PMS through subsidy scheme with the FG.

“This relationship lasted for four years. And in 2014, I voluntarily resigned from Sterling Bank after she pleaded earnestly with me to join her business.

“So I left my job in the bank to work for her in a contractor/staff arrangement.

“I helped her set up various companies like Structured Energy Resources Limited, Dexter Oil Limited, Ritrak Supply and Trading Limited, Gulf Trading and Shipping Limited – all registered in Liberia.

“These companies were used at various times to carry out trading and documentation related to subsidy by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We produced supporting documents like Bill of Laden, the recertification of products, the certificate of quality and certificate of Origin.

“These documentations were done outside the shores of Nigeria and used for trades that never happened in Nigeria. The documentation was done in Liberia for trades that were nonexistent,” Ekwunife said.

Justice Sherifat Solebo adjourned the matter till July 5, 2019, for the continuation of trial.

Son Who Killed His Father and Buried Him In Their Apartment Bags Life Imprisonment

The Akwa Ibom State High Court, Ibiono Ibom Division has sentenced one Utibe Ita, a native of Nkim in the Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state to life imprisonment for killing his father, Oscar Ita.

Court hearing revealed that the younger Ita had killed and buried his father in a shallow grave dug inside a room in an apartment he shared with his father.

Ita had confessed to the police that he had had some issues with his father.

The late father had earlier been declared missing in June 2017 until he was discovered buried in his son’s room.

In his judgment, Justice Bassey Nkanang said,

“The court believes that there was mutual physical assault. A person, who unlawfully kills another in the circumstance of mutual physical assault, commits manslaughter and not murder.

“The prosecution has proven all the ingredients of murder. The court is persuaded to convict the accused of the offence of manslaughter. Consequently, the accused is sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Busted: Quack doctor performs surgery on 45 people, kills 15

The Adamawa State governor, Umaru Fintiri, is poised to launch a major crack down on quack medical practitioners in the state after investigations by his government uncovered a fake doctor with only a national board for technical education certificate who has been practicing as a medical doctor in the state. He was said to have performed surgeries on about 45 patients and killed about 15 of the unlucky one in the in the years he had practiced without being caught.

Fintiri made the remarks on Wednesday, during a ministerial briefing in Yola, Adamawa State.

The governor explained that a fake doctor who was employed in 2015 by the Adamawa State health Services Management Board was discovered to have attended secondary school and only possess a National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) certificate.

He added that the said quack doctor had carried out different surgeries on 45 patients after he was recruited by the Adamawa State government using a forged certificate as a medical doctor and that 15 people died under his watch.

The governor said his administration would soon set up a committee to fish out quack medical doctors in the state with a view to bringng them to book and sanitising the healthcare sector.

He further said: “A technical committee will soon be set up to look into the laws establishing the specialists and German Hospitals, Yola, to see how the two health institutions can work together for enhanced service delivery to the people of Adamawa.”

Nigerian govt gets 7-day ultimatum to abolish acceptance fees in tertiary institutions

The federal government of Nigeria has been given a 7-day ultimatum to abrogate admission acceptance fees into all tertiary institutions in the country to encourage learning.

Rights group, One Love Foundation said they decided to give the one week notice to the current government of the country and should the government failed, they will not also fail to seek redress in the court of law to put an end to the ugly scenario.

The group made this known in a statement issued to newsmen by its coordinator, Mr. Patrick Osagie Eholor, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The statement said they have been overwhelmed with the outcries of the poor masses whose academic pursuits have been truncated due to their inability to pay the thousands of money as acceptance fee before they could be admitted into the universities under the guise of professional admission.

“Our attention has been drawn to overwhelming protests and outcry from students, parents and the general public of Edo State and Nigeria in general in respect of oppressive and unbearable admission acceptance fees which newly admitted students are compelled to pay by the government in our various institutions.

“Investigations by our foundation indicate that these fees range between N40,000 to as much as N60,000 in some state per student. And that of some federal institution is even higher.

“These fees pose additional hardship and obstacles to tertiary education aspiration of our well-meaning youths and parents whose enthusiastic votes brought the present administration to power.”

Mr. Eholor further accused the government of being insensitive to the plight of the commoners, adding that under this current administration, higher education has become the birth rights of the few rich in the nation.

“Subsequently, under the this administration, only a very slim minority of Nigeria citizens who are either successful industrialists or privileged commissioners, government appointees, anointed contractors, treasury looters, fraud and politicians with deep pockets have the right to give higher education to their children,” the statement added.

The statement further appealed to Nigerian government to hurt acceptance fees in all tertiary institutions throughout or be prepared for a legal action.

“Our foundation hereby stands with every Nigerians both parents and families to resist and reclaim the right of these future leaders to affordable and qualitative education.

Media, Security Agency Synergy’ll Improves Security In Nigeria -JTF Commander

The Commander of Joint Military Taskforce in Niger Delta ( Operation Delta Safe), Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, says with the collaboration of security agencies and the media, the security of the Niger Delta region and indeed Nigeria could be further improved and every section of the region experience total peace.

Akinrinade, stated this yesterday when the executive members of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited the operation headquarters at Ogbogene, Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state.

He urged the media not to report the security agencies in the country in the way that the people will lost confidence on its capacity, neither report crime in such a way that criminals will be glorified.

He stressed the need for balanced and investigative journalism, which he said can also help in addressing the security situation in the country and also help the security operatives in their investigations.

He promised to partner the media, especially in terms of trainings to be conversant with reporting security information accurately.
He said Operation Delta Safe is always ready and committed to secure government critical infrastructures and oil facilities to boost the economy of the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of Federated Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr Julius Osahon, said the visit was meant to seek collaboration with the security organization to ensure continuous peace in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole.

Killings in Nigeria: Fulani group asks Buhari to listen to Obasanjo’s advice

The Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency listen to the advice of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on how to move the nation forward and halt the numerous crises bedeviling the country.

Speaking with newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the National Chairman of the group, Alhaji Sale Bayari, said the present administration ought to listen to other eminent Nigerians too in solving the nation’s problems, but that from the signs he is getting, things are not in order.

He said considering the tribal, ethnic, religious and sectional agitations from the South, East, North and West, things must be done urgently to address and avert national crises. According to him, there was no part of the country that agitation is currently not going on.

He stressed that even the crises that is already happening in the Northern states like Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Benue, Nassarawa and so on, are not good for the country, including that of the other regions like Niger-Delta militants, IPOB, Afenifere and the rest.

“In moving the nation forward, the government must listen to some elder statesmen irrespective of whatever their political views or affiliation is. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is one of them. I have found out that if any government in Africa is to tap one-third of what is in the brain of Obasanjo and use it, Africa will be better. Similarly, West Africa and Nigeria will be better for it.

“Obasanjo knows our problem; and then whenever he talks and explodes sometimes, I have found out that it is because he has made efforts to be listened to without success. He will then feel that posterity will judge him harshly if he does not come out to tell Nigerians and the world the truth of things”, he explained.

“Undoubtedly, Obasanjo is an embodiment of knowledge, experience and he knows very well the problem of our country, Nigeria. There is nobody dead or alive today that thinks the way Obasanjo does or knows what Obasanjo knows.

“He knows Nigeria, Africa and the entire world like the back of his hand. That is why I am advising this government to tap the brains of people like Obasanjo.

“He is a person that can lead the government into looking critically at the problem bedeviling the nation and finding a way forward.

According to him, “We know that government can do and undo, but any government desiring to move forward will require the support of statesmen and nationalists like Obasanjo.

“There are other statesmen the government should listen to; people like Yakubu Gowon, Ango Abdullahi, Sultan of Sokoto, Oni of Ife, Eze of Onitsha, and others. These are people that have this nation at heart and would not want it to disintegrate.

Bayeri maintained that, “If they put their machinery in place, I bet you that peace and progress will be achieved.

“But unfortunately, nobody is mobilizing them or seeking their input in solving the national crises. These people know what to do or the right people to call, among other things in solving the problems,” he said.

Bayeri said his fear is that if the government does not carefully handle these looming crises and they degenerate, the nation does not have the well-withal in terms of security to tackle it.

He said if the nation has been unable to tackle Boko Haram since 2009, then it is a greater danger if crises burst out in other states or regions in the nation.

“Recently, the Secretary to the Government of the Federal, Boss Mustapha said if the armed banditry is not carefully handled, it will be worse than the Boko Haram insurgency. I totally agree with him entirely because if you look at the way the thing is building up now, then you will understand what I am talking about.

“Very soon, some religious and insurgent groups may capitalize on it to recruit people for other nefarious acts. We should not allow this to happen, and we should do everything possible to halt it,” he warned.

Federal Ministry Stopped Us From Fixing Apapa Ports Access Road —NPA

The Nigerian Ports Authority said the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing prevented it from fixing some parts of the deplorable Apapa port access roads.

The agency spoke in reaction to wide condemnation by some port stakeholders, following a recent incident where a 40-foot container fell on three cars in Lagos.


The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA, Jatto Adams, said NPA had indicated willingness to fix some parts of the road leading to the port.

In a social media comment, Adams expressed NPA’s concern over the difficulties suffered by port users and the various losses they incurred as a result of the very poor state of the roads leading to the largest port in West Africa.

He said, “While this incident is regrettable, it is on record that the present management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, under the leadership of Hadiza Bala-Usman, had before now written series of letters to the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing to hand over the port axis of the road to NPA for complete reactivation at NPA cost to no avail.

“It took the personal intervention of the MD to involve Dangote and Flour Mills with NPA counterpart funds to re-construct the Wharf road from Leventis to Apapa port.
“The NPA is not unmindful of the havoc and damage this road is causing the port operations and the revenue loss, albeit the sufferings to the port users but as stated the management is handicapped and not that nothing is being done.”

A recent video that went viral showed three imported cars being crushed by a fallen cargo-laden container.

Speaking on the issue, a maritime and logistics expert, Tunji Olaosun of Hermonsfield, said NPA could not be blamed for not fixing the roads as it was not its legal duty to do so.

“By law, NPA is not responsible for fixing roads. If not that the government has promulgated a law permitting private firms to partake in road construction, a private firm would be committing a crime if it takes up repairs or rehabilitation of any road in the country,” he said.

I Never Donated Giddy's Place To Ras Kimono Foundation - Nwaomu

The CEO of the popular Giddy's Place, a one stop bar located at the heart of Asaba metropolis, Mr. Gideon Nwaomu has said that he never donated the Giddy's Place to Ras Kimono Foundation.
He made this clarification over a telephone conversation when we called him to find out the true state of things with the popular bar.

Nwaomu stated that he only briefed the press about his intention to quit business and at the same time intimated the journalists of his plans to immortalize the late Ras Kimono through a launch of Ras Kimono Foundation.
The man popularly known as Giddy's affirmed that he was quoted out of context. He also cleared that he had sold the Giddy's Place to completely wind down the business.
Earlier, there was a report that Mr. Nwaomu had quit business and in turn donated the landed property housing Giddy's Place to Ras Kimono Foundation, a soon to be launched project in memory of the late Raggae maestro.
Not too long, another report emanated from Oge, the eldest daughter of the five children of Ras Kimono, insinuating that some person was launching a fake foundation in memory of her father, just to scam the public.
In all of these scenarios, Mr. Nwaomu therefore posited that he does not need the consent of Oge to launch a foundation in memory of his friend, Kimono.
Speaking further, he said Ras Kimono had five daughters before his death, adding that the three who are based in America had given their consents for the Foundation to be launched in their father's memory.

"I don't want to join issues with Oge, because she is as a daughter to me just like others.
What I am doing, I am doing for friendship. I am spending my money registering the Foundation and doing other things to get it launched.
For the avoidance of doubts, I never donated the Giddy's Place to the Foundation. In fact, I had sold the place and I need not consult anybody to do that. It's my property. I sold it to prove that I am entirely quitting the business", Nwaomu explained.

The grounded opposition politician in the state, also added that he had quit association with OFAAC - an Anioma sociocultural organization where he had since inception been a Director.
He did not give any specific reason for quitting, but however, said he was tired of playing 'boy boy' to somebody.
Though from a grapevine, there seems to be infractions within the ranks of OFAAC management, which was allegedly confirmed with Giddy's obvious absence from the 2019 edition of Anioma Cultural Festival, an annual event of OFAAC

How Nigeria man was arrested for attempting to kidnap 4-year-boy at Maamobi

A Nigerian man has been arrested after he attempted kidnapping a four-year-old boy at Maamobi in the Greater Accra Region.
Eyewitnesses who suspected the man was attempting to lure the bot into a waiting vehicle raised alarm. The waiting car, according to reports, had three other people in it already.
The suspect is said to have dashed into a nearby house and changed his clothing but his cover was blown after residents of the house gave him up.

The other three occupants in the car sped off.
He was assaulted by the mob that arrested him and subsequently handed over to the Kotobabi police station.

Due to the head injuries he sustained, he has been sent to the hospital for treatment.

The boy is reportedly safe.

UK alerts of terror attacks in Nigeria, warns citizens to avoid 24 states

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Tuesday gave a warning to its citizens on travel to some Nigerian states.

Around 117,000 British nationals visit Nigeria each year.

A statement on the UK government website said all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River States and 20km of the border with Niger in Zamfara State should be cancelled.

The FCO warned against all but essential travel to: Bauchi, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Kogi and within 20km of the border with Niger in Sokoto and Kebbi States, non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and
Abia States.

It added that: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria. Most attacks occur in the northeast, particularly in Borno (including central Maiduguri and along access routes connecting the city to other major towns and along the Niger border, including in Damasak), Yobe, including the eastern LGAs bordering Borno State both north and south of the Damaturu road), and Adamawa States.

“There have also been significant attacks in Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Bauchi States and in the Federal capital, Abuja. The terrorist threat across eastern Yobe and Borno State is high, with frequent recent attacks. Terrorist groups carried out attacks in North East Nigeria during the February 2019 election period, and further attacks are likely. We continue to advise against all travel to Borno and Yobe States.

“On 23 February 2019, ISWA launched an attack involving indirect fire that resulted in explosions in multiple locations within Maiduguri.

“You should avoid places where crowds gather, including political meetings, religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western interests as well as places visited by tourists. Besides Abuja, other major towns and cities remain particularly at risk, including Kano and Kaduna. See Terrorism

“There’s a high threat of kidnap throughout Nigeria. Kidnaps can be motivated by criminality or terrorism and could be carried out for financial or political gain. See Terrorism and Criminal Kidnaps

“The security environment in the northeast has deteriorated since 2018 and there is a heightened risk of kidnap. Kidnaps in the northeast have included humanitarian and private sector workers. There are also reports that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) are continuing to actively plan to kidnap foreigners.

“As well as in north-east Nigeria, this is believed to include some northern and middle belt states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna, Niger and Adamawa. If you’re working or travelling in areas where there is a Boko Haram or ISWA presence, especially in the north-east of Nigeria, you should be aware of the risk of terrorist kidnapping.

“There is also a high threat of criminal kidnap in the Niger Delta region and Kogi state.

“If you travel to areas to which the FCO advise against travel, you are particularly at risk and will need a high level of security. If you’re working in northern Nigeria you should make sure your employers provide an adequate level of security where you live and where you work, make sure they regularly review security arrangements and familiarise yourself with those plans.

“There have been recent attacks in Maiduguri, Baga, Monguno, Damasak and Rann in Borno State and in Gujba and Geidam LGAs in Yobe State. Further attacks are likely. We advise against all travel to Borno and Yobe States. See Local travel

“A number of kidnappings, including of foreigners, took place in Kano city in April 2018. We advise against all but essential travel to Kano state. If you’re in or around Kano city, we recommend you take added precautions.

“You should be aware of your surroundings and avoid large crowds and public demonstrations as they can turn violent unexpectedly and at short notice. Follow news reports and be alert to developments. If you become aware of any nearby unrest or disturbances, you should leave the area immediately. Violent crime is common. See Crime

“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever on 22 January. For further information and advice see the NaTHNaC website.

“UK health authorities have classified Nigeria as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.”

Pa Mafeni laid to rest amidst tears, celebration

By Kelvin Ohoror

The remains of late Pa John Oghenewede Mafeni has been laid to rest amidst tears and celebration on the 1st June, 2019 at his home town, Uzere in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta state.
Late Pa John Oghenewede Mafeni was born on the 9th of March, 1930 and attended the famous St. Gregory's College Lagos from 1944-1949. He studied Civil Engineering at the Yaba College of Technology and worked with the Nigerian Railways Corporation where he rose to the position of Director, New Lines before his retirement serving as Ag. Managing Director on several occasions.
Late John Mafeni, until his death, was a man who detested injustice and was a devout catholic. He always craved for justice and fair play among the people surrounding him. Based on his philanthropic church activities, he served as the Chairman of the church building committee that delivered the new St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Ajao estate, his local parish, in Lagos.
To which he gave most of his time in the twilight of his life. He also supported the Catholic Church in his hometown Uzere.

Further, he placed a very high premium on education such that not only his children received quality education but, because of his magnanimity, he also extended financial support to cover the education of the indigent children including relatives and others in the society.
The eldest son, Dr Jerome Mafeni and his second son, Mr. Norbert Mafeni described their father as a man whose exemplary life and character are worthy of emulation.
While speaking to Isoko Mirror, the sons had corroborated each other's statements, stressing that their father was a disciplined man, dedicated to his family and rendered humanitarian services to his community and society at large while serving God diligently.

Dr. Jerome Mafeni performing his last rites for his father

Meanwhile, in their combined tribute, the entire children noted that “You taught us the strength of measured silence and conceding for peace sake was not sign of weakness". We learnt from you what true commitment entailed and honestly, we marvelled at the way God almighty worked his miracles in your life.
A member of the family, Chief Fidelis Adaka had described late Pa John Mafeni as a role model to their family.
“He was a role model to our family. He is humble and gentle and I must say that our family is known for sound education and longevity” he said.

Mr. Anthony Mafeni (first left) with his mother (2nd left) and relations

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Alice Mafeni (nee Fischer), six children and fourteen grandchildren but unfortunately lost their first daughter by name Mary in 2015.  He is also survived by a stepmother, brother and sister namely Mrs. Edoka Mafeni, Mr. Anthony Mafeni and Mrs. Gladys Saka Shenanyon.

Mrs. Augustina Onwuachi performing in-laws rites

Dignitaries at the occasion included Prof A. E. Ekoko former Vice Chancellor Delta State University, the President General IDU, High chief Amadhe, Amb. Albert Ukpokolo Vice-President Abuja Country Club, Prof. Oladipo Ladipo, President Association for Reproductive and Family Health - ARFH, Mr. Akporhiere, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Col. Umar, Area Commander Delta State Nigerian Army, Pastor H. A Adaka (New head of the Odhere Family), Chief J. O Odhegba, Mr. Philip Agbaka, Mr. Andy Isichei, Chairman/CEO Cybernetics International Services Ltd, Col. Abdallah Inuwa, Area commander Nigerian Army Sokoto State, Mrs. Halima Inuwa, the Ochonogor family from Amai, the Osugo family from Ase, the Fischer family from Ugwangwe, and Chief Patani Esugo. Also present were the children of the late Minister Chief B. O. W. Mafeni - Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Victor Mase Mafeni from Cameroun.

Isoko Mirror was there to captured the event.