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Ex- BPP Director testifies against former Minister over alleged N2.7bn contract fraud

An EFCC witness, told an Abuja high court that Al-Duraq Investment Limited which was registered in 2021 got the contract for the construction of the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport in 2022.

The witness, Musa Odiniya, who was a former director, of procurement the Bureau Public Procurement (BPP), made this known while testifying in the alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud against a former Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika.

The EFCC dragged Sirika alongside his daughter, Fatima; Jalal Sule Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited, for abuse of office and contract fraud.

They are standing trial before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on a six counts.

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The minister who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari was accused of abusing his office as minister through the award of contracts to a company in which his daughter and her husband had interest.

The offences allegedly committed by the former minister and others, according to the prosecution, were contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Led in evidence by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, EFCC counsel, the witness said every firm bidding for contract must submit an affidavit.

”The reason being that no contract should be awarded to a company related to a member of staff at the ministry where the contract is to be executed.

”My department can not give contract to a company where for instance the minister is signatory to” he said.

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When asked if he knew those behind
Al-Duraq Investment Nig. Limited, he said he didn’t know until he got to the EFCC office and was shown a document from the bank with names of the defendants.

“The defendants ‘ companies were registered in 2021 while the contract was awarded to them 2022.

”Company registered within a year of the award may not have the capacity to handle a project.

”The company is not qualified ” he said.

He told the court that the Apron building and extension of Katsina Airport was valued at N800 million.

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After his evidence, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN counsel for Sirika (first defendant) prayed the court for an adjournment to enable them cross examine the witness.

He further prayed the court for hearing of their motion seeking for leave to allow the first defendant travel abroad with his sick mother for medical reasons.

While Jacobs did not oppose to the adjournment, he however, prayed the court to allow him speak with the EFCC on the motion.

Justice Oriji adjourned until Nov. 21 to hear the motion and deliver ruling.

He further adjourned until Jan 23, 2025 for cross examination of PW5 and continuation of hearing. (NAN)

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Multichoice announces price increase for GOtv, DStv subscription packages

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Multichoice announces price increase for GOtv, DStv subscription packages

A leading pay-TV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, has announced another round of price increases across its subscription plans for both DStv and GOtv services. The new prices will come into effect on March 1, 2025.

In a notice sent to customers on Monday, the company outlined the upcoming changes, which will see significant price hikes across various packages.

The DStv Compact bouquet will rise from N15,700 to N19,000, reflecting a 25% increase. The DStv Compact Plus package will see a 20% jump, from N25,000 to N30,000.

The highest-tier DStv Premium package will also experience a 20% hike, increasing from N37,000 to N44,500.

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For GOtv users, price adjustments are equally notable. The Jinja package will increase from N3,600 to N3,900, while the Jolli package will rise from N4,850 to N5,800.

The GOtv Max package will go up from N7,200 to N8,500, and the GOtv Supa package will climb from N9,600 to N11,400. The GOtv Supa Plus package will now cost N16,800, up from the previous N15,700.

The official notice from Multichoice, titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” explained that the new prices were necessary to maintain the delivery of high-quality content and service.

The company noted that the adjustments were essential to ensure the continued provision of both local and international content through advanced technology.

“Dear Customer, please note that effective 1 March 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class home-grown and international content, delivered through the best technology,” the statement read.

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This price increase follows a similar one implemented in May 2024, with Multichoice citing inflationary pressures, rising operational costs, and currency depreciation as the key reasons for the hikes.

The company pointed out the challenges posed by the significant drop in the naira’s value and the growing expenses tied to inflation in the country.

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You got it all wrong – Presidency replies Osinbajo over IBB tormenting Tinubu’s comment

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You got it all wrong – Presidency replies Osinbajo over IBB tormenting Tinubu’s comment

The Presidency through the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly disagreed with Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s assertion that former military President Ibrahim Babangida was a “tormentor” of President Tinubu.

The controversy arose during the public presentation of Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja last week. Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, reflected on Tinubu’s role in resisting the military’s dissolution of the Senate after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

He humorously remarked that Tinubu, who was then a senator, was “tormented” by the military, including Babangida, for his attempts to reinstate the Senate, even suggesting that Tinubu was at the event to honor one of his tormentors.

However, Onanuga, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, rejected Osinbajo’s characterization of Babangida. He emphasized that Babangida had actually been a significant source of inspiration for Tinubu’s political career.

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According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s resistance to the military government, and the political course he charted thereafter, was deeply influenced by Babangida’s leadership and the broader political context of that era.

“I think the former Vice President got it wrong. I think Babangida was not really a tormentor of President Tinubu, don’t forget that President Tinubu said in his own extempore speech that he held Babangida as something, that he was the person that inspired him to get into politics.

“When Babangida came in, he was talking about new breed politicians and so on, and Tinubu like many of them were already technocrats or in private business and so on. All of them came out to participate in politics, that was what brought him in. So, he came there to pay homage,” Onanuga said.

Onanuga clarified that the real torment began under General Sani Abacha’s regime, when Tinubu, alongside some colleagues, made an effort to reconvene the Senate in Lagos.

He also praised Babangida for eventually acknowledging that MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, although he noted that the admission came too late.

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President Tinubu promises renovations of Police Barracks, improving mobility, robust Police welfare package

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President Tinubu promises renovations of Police Barracks, improving mobility, robust Police welfare package

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration is working to enhance the nation’s security capabilities to effectively address the growing security challenges.

Speaking through his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the opening of the fifth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, President Tinubu emphasised the government’s commitment to improving the security infrastructure across the country.

The President noted that security is a key pillar for Nigeria’s socio-economic development, and his administration is focused on bolstering the operational readiness of security agencies. This includes providing the necessary equipment to handle emergencies and combat crime effectively.

“While the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally empowered to maintain internal security, protect lives and property, and uphold public order, it is essential to recognise that security is a shared responsibility. Communities and citizens must actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society,” Tinubu stated through his representative, Senator Shettima.

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He highlighted that no matter how well-funded or equipped the police force is, it cannot succeed without the active support and trust of the public.

“Public engagement and trust are central to the process of inclusive policing,” the President affirmed.

Further reaffirming his administration’s commitment, President Tinubu pledged to enhance the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity to meet its constitutional duties, ensuring it is both effective and well-positioned to handle internal security.

He revealed that the federal government is focused on bridging gaps in security, infrastructure, and recruitment through a comprehensive program.

This initiative will include renovations of police barracks, improving police mobility, and upgrading essential combat and protective gear.

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Additionally, Tinubu emphasised the importance of welfare for police personnel, pointing to the recent implementation of the new minimum wage as part of broader efforts to improve the living conditions of the Nigerian workforce, including law enforcement officers.

He assured that his administration will continue to collaborate with police leadership to provide financial incentives and motivate officers to perform at their highest levels.

The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to reforming the country’s economic and security frameworks to restore investor confidence, stabilise the macroeconomic environment, and tackle inflation, marking his government’s multi-pronged approach to strengthening both the nation’s security and its economic foundation.

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