I have not resigned from office – Deputy Governor cries out
I have not resigned from office – Deputy Governor cries out
The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has dismissed social media reports claiming she has resigned from office, describing them as malicious speculation.
Rumors, particularly on Facebook, suggested that Odu had stepped down, fueling speculations about discord within Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
However, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, her media aide, Owupele Benebo, debunked the claims, calling them fake and misleading.
Benebo reaffirmed Odu’s position as deputy governor, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to the Fubara-led administration.
The deputy governor urged the public to disregard the false reports, stressing that she has neither resigned nor has any intention of doing so.
The statement read, “The Office of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State wishes to categorically debunk the false and misleading reports suggesting that Her Excellency, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has resigned.
“Contrary to these baseless claims, Her Excellency remains committed to her duties as Deputy Governor, a position she was duly elected to serve alongside His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
“As a seasoned public servant and academic, Prof. Odu is dedicated to supporting the governor in his efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of Rivers State.
“Her exemplary leadership and expertise remain invaluable to the administration, and she is unwavering in her commitment to His Excellency, Sir Dr. Siminalayi Fubara.”
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The command Spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said, in a statement on Thursday in Lagos, that the arrest of the “vicious and notorious Pakistanis” was a huge success.
According to Hundeyin, a distress call was received by the police at the Ikeja Division on Wednesday about the kidnap of a 48-year-old Pakistani within the area.
“An anti-crime patrol from the division was swiftly deployed, leading to the rescue of the victim and arrest of two of the captors, aged 19 and 28 years, while five other Pakistanis escaped,” he said.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was lured to Lagos State from Kano.
“The two suspects and five others (allegedly)lured the victim to Lagos from his base in Kano under the pretext that they have a job for him as a chef.
“The suspects booked the victim’s flight to Lagos and lodged him in a hotel on Feb. 28.
“The next day, the seven suspects visited the victim, overpowered him, tied his hands and legs and sent a message to his boss in Kano to pay the sum of N50 million as ransom for his release or else he would be killed.
“The boss paid N1 million three days later to buy time and thereafter alerted the police, ” Hundeyin said.
The police spokesperson said that an operational vehicle, a grey coloured Toyota Camry salon car was recovered from the suspects.
“Also recovered was $2000 cash, three Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, green card, driver’s licence and National Identity Number (NIN) slip.
Hundeyin said that concerted efforts were on to arrest the fleeing suspects and arraign them in court.
According to him, the rescued victim is in good condition and has established contact with his family.
Hundeyin quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, as commending officers and men of Ikeja Division for a job well done.
Hundeyin said that the CP assured residents and visitors to the state of the command total commitment to their safety and security at all times.
Hundeyin said that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had directed all police commands to stamp out kidnapping and other violent crimes throughout the country.(NAN)
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Alleged fraud: Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello’s name not in bank account transaction documents – EFCC witness
Alleged fraud: Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello’s name not in bank account transaction documents – EFCC witness
Mrs Abimbola Williams, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, on Thursday, said that former Gov. Yahaya Bello’s name did not feature on the Kogi Government House Bank account.
Williams told Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja during cross examination by the former governor’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, in the ongoing money laundering trial.
Williams, who was the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2) in the trial, also said that she was not the United Bank for Africa (UBA)’s account officer for the government house account.
Earlier when the matter was called, the EFCC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that their PW-2, Abimbola Williams, who was on subpoena, was in court to give her evidence.
Williams, a Compliant Officer with UBA, confirmed to the court that a further subpoena was served on the bank.
Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the subpoena in evidence and marked it ‘Exhibit 7’ after Daudu did not oppose Pinhero’s application to tender the document.
The suboeana, according to the prosecution, requested for the production of the statements of account of Maselina Njoku, from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2020.
The witness confirmed that it was the request from the bank, adding that a certificate of compliance was also issued.
While being led in evidence by Pinherio, Williams confirmed 10 withdrawals in favour of Abdulsalam Hudu, in the sum of N10 million each on Dec. 12, 2018.
She said the withdrawals were done with cheques and presented across the counter.
The PW-2, however, confirmed during cross-examination by Daudu, that the former Governor’s name did not feature in the opening and management of the said Kogi Government House Bank account.
She also agreed that the account is domiciled in Lokoja, the state’s capital and not Area 3, Abuja, where she works.
She agreed that a compliant officer, her duty involves protecting the integrity of the bank from legal penalty, reputational damage and financial losses.
The witness mentioned the names of the three signatories on the account, including Alhaji Yakubu Ismail, who was said to be a permanent secretary.
“Now, in both the account opening documents and the statements of account from Exhibits ‘E1 to E72,’ does the name, ‘Yahaya Bello’ appear anywhere?” the senior lawyer asked Williams.
“No, the name Yahaya Bello does not feature,” the witness responded.
Daudu again asked, “Please look at Exhibits 2P1 to 2P62, does the name ‘Yahaya Bello’ appear anywhere in the document?”
“My Lord, the name Yahaya Bello does not feature on the exhibits,” the witness answered.
Pinhero, however, moved to re-examine the witness but Daudu objected.
After a brief argument, Justice Nwite directed Pinhero to go on with the re-examination.
The EFCC’s lawyer then asked the witness if she was familiar with the signature on the document that carried the name, Edward Bananga, and she responded in the affirmative.
The PW-2 said she signed the documents on behalf of one Edward Bananga.
Responding, Daudu also applied to cross examine the witness but Pinhero disagreed.
“My Lord, the witness initially disowned the signature, but under re-examination, the prosecution led her to admit it.
“Therefore, I have the right to challenge that admission and prove that her claim regarding the signature is incorrect,” Daudu told the court.
According to him, cross examination is meant to prove the accuracy or veracity of the witness.
“I am entitled to disprove what she said. This is in the interest of justice,” Daudu added, and the judge allowed his argument.
The defence lawyer then asked the witness to read the document in dispute.
Reading from the document, she said, “I Edward Bananga hereby certified and confirmed that……”
Responding Daudu said: “I put it to you that you are not Edward Bananga.”
“I am not Edward Bananga, my lord,” the witness answered.
The prosecution also called another witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, from the American International School (AIS), as 3rd prosecution witness (PW-3).
He was also led in evidence by Pinherio, the anti-graft agency’s lawyer.
The exhibits tendered included the school’s statements of account, admission letters of the children of the defendant and payment receipts.
The witness confirmed the different classes the children were admitted into.
Exhibit 12P was also tendered, which was a contractual agreement for post-paid school fees for the children.
The prosecution tendered a letter from the EFCC to AIS, Abuja, through the court registrar.
The court marked it as Exhibit 18 and an account provided by the EFCC for a refund.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until March 7 for continuation of trial.(NAN)
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More revelations as Akpabio discloses where he slept on Natasha’s wedding night
More revelations as Akpabio discloses where he slept on Natasha’s wedding night
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has revealed that he spent the night inside the Dangote Cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State, on the wedding day of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpabio made this known on Thursday during plenary at the National Assembly, explaining that poor lighting at the Kogi airport prevented him from leaving after the event.
The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs emphasised his close relationship with Natasha’s family, describing her husband as a good friend.
He noted that his presence at their wedding was a testament to their bond.
“I slept in Dangote Cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State, on the night of Senator Natasha’s wedding because the Kogi airport lights were in a poor state,” Akpabio stated.
Tribune Online reports that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after her heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat arrangements.
Following the ruling, she was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms.