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Nigeria Air N2.6b investigation: EFCC quizzes Ethiopian Airlines CEO

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As part of the ongoing probe of the N2.6 billion allegedly spent on Nigeria Air, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has debriefed top officials of Ethiopian Airlines on some of its findings on the botched project.

The Nation gathered yesterday that during the interface, the team led by  Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines  Mesfin Tasew claimed that the Ministry of Aviation owed them $211,000.

The team also alleged  that the terms of the “pact” entered into with the   Aviation Ministry  during the tenure of  former Minister Hadi Sirika were “brazenly breached.”

Tasew was quoted by an EFCC  source as saying that “The Nigerian government lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline” because of the manner the project   was handled by the ministry.

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The EFCC official did not say when the Ethiopian Airlines officials visited Nigeria on the invitation of the anti-graft agency.

He, however, explained that the claim on  $211,000 debt was ‘’another dimension to the probe of Nigeria Air.’’

He said: “As part of our investigation, we want to find out how about  N2.6 billion was allegedly spent on the botched Air.

“So far,  we were able to uncover N1,326,731,470.97 allegedly spent on a Consultancy contract for Nigeria Air. This is already an issue before a court.

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“In the course of findings, our operatives also discovered that the Ministry of Aviation was indebted to Ethiopian Airlines.

‘’Some officials of Ethiopian Airlines were in the country for interaction. We debriefed them and they explained the details of the Nigeria Air project.

“They confirmed that the implementation of the agreement was faulty because the Ministry of Aviation did not keep to the terms.

“They also said the ministry owed the airlines about $211,000. We have been inviting some past and present officials on the nature of the debts.

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“Our operatives are digging deeper.”

Sirika, his daughter, son-in-law- inlaw and a firm, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, are being prosecuted by the EFCC over corrupt practices involving about N2.7 billion.

The former minister  unveiled Nigeria Air on May 26, about 72 hours to the end former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.

According to the agreement on Nigeria Air, Ethiopian Airlines  had a 49 percent equity stake;  Federal Government, five  percent; and a consortium of three Nigerian investors,   46 percent .

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The deal however collapsed leading to the withdrawal of Ethiopian Airlines from Nigeria Air.

EFCC investigation indicated that before the pact collapsed, about N2.6 billion was sunk into the project in  alleged “questionable circumstance.”

Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister  Festus Keyamo recently affirmed that Nigeria Air remained  suspended.

Keyamo  said:  “It remains suspended. It was never Nigeria Air. It was not Nigeria Air. That’s the truth. It was only painted Nigeria Air.

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“It was Ethiopian Airlines trying to fly our flag. If it is so, why not allow our local people to fly our flag? Why bring a foreigner to fly our flag? So nobody should dispute that it was Nigeria Air.

“Nigeria Air must be indigenous, must be wholly Nigerian, and must be for the full benefits of Nigeria, not that 50 percent of the profit is for another country.”

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JUST IN: Again, APC loses battle to disqualify PDP candidate, Ighodalo in Edo guber poll

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By Ojomah Austin.

 

The APC suit filed at the federal high court in Abuja seeking to oust Ighodalo from the gubernatorial race was dismissed on Friday evening by Justice Peter Lifu.

An eleventh-hour attempt by the All Progressives Congress, APC to get the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Asue Ighodalo disqualified from the Edo State Governorship election has been dismissed.

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The Judge agreed with Ighodalo’s lawyer, Chief Akinlolu Kehinde that the suit was frivolous, baseless, and unwarranted and was thrown out.

In his judgment in the suit, Justice Lifu rejected the prayer of the APC to use another judgment of the same court that had queried the validity of the primary election that produced Ighodalo to kick him out of the race.

In a suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, Justice Inyang Ekwo had on July 4 held that PDP was wrong in excluding 378 delegates from its February 22 primary election that produced Ighodalo.

Although Justice Ekwo did not categorically declare the primary election invalid, the APC cashing in on Ekwo’s finding, filed a fresh suit to disqualify Ighodalo on the strength of the alleged unlawful exclusion.

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However, Justice Lifu upheld the submission of the senior lawyer that the federal high court cannot sit as an appellate court in its own judgment.

The Judge also agreed that APC was a busybody and meddlesome interloper by dabbing into the internal affairs of PDP.

Besides, Justice Lifu also upheld the argument of Kehinde SAN that the high court judgment being used to press for Ighodalo’s disqualification had since been voided and set aside by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The Judge subsequently dismissed the APC’s disqualification request on the ground that it lacked merit and substance.

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The APC had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Asue Ighodalo and PDP as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

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Tight security in Benin as Edo governorship election draws near

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By Ojomah Austin.

 

A large number of officers from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been mobilized across the city, causing traffic congestion in several areas.

Security personnel were spotted at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin, securing strategic locations, with some awaiting further deployment to other parts of the state.

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This follows the recent deployment of 35,000 police officers to maintain law and order during the elections, With less than 48 hours to the Edo State governorship election.

The NSCDC also deployed 6,433 officers, while the Defence Headquarters has stationed soldiers to ensure a safe environment for voters.

In addition, authorities have implemented a “show of force” with security agents patrolling key areas.

In anticipation of the election, the Edo State Government declared Friday a work-free day to allow voters to travel to their polling units.

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Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) held a prayer session in Benin, calling for peace and the election of a credible leader who will govern with integrity.

INEC has also commenced the distribution of sensitive electoral materials to all 18 local government areas, ensuring readiness for Saturday’s vote.

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New video of Zinoleesky gets tongues wagging

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……“E remain small make breeze blow am away”

By Ojomah Austin.

 

Nigerian singer, Zinoleesky stirs a buzz online due to a recent video of him circulating on social media.

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In the video, Zinoleesky dons a white shirt alongside black trousers as he brags about being worthy to be used as a Valentine’s gift.
Reacting to the video, netizens commented on his skinny appearance.

Famous musician, Oniyide Azeez, better known as Zinoleesky trends online due to a new clip serving the rounds on social media.

In the video, the ‘Element’ hitmaker is spotted wearing a white shirt and a stylish black trouser. While being filmed, Zinoleesky bragged mightily about his looks.

He reiterated that he could be used as a Valentine’s gift to any girl.

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The video generated a buzz online with a large number of netizens commenting on his thin body shape. Some swiftly leveraged it to make fun of the artiste.

One @janicekate_x wrote: “E remain small make breeze blow am away 😂.

soromotoochukwu wrote: “I like how music can take you to another place. For example, this restaurant is playing Zinoleesky so now I’m going to a different restaurant.”

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dave.dexter27 wrote: “Make breeze sha no blow as we wan deliver the valentine gift😂😂😂.”

oluwatamilore_xx wrote: “Bro,drank all the whole slimming tea and nothing is left to slim down.”

isco_west_whil wrote: “Chaii dem don set this Guy up for dragging again😂😂.”

scheargoon wrote: “Try put stone for your pocket guy”

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bouncequotes wrote: “My boy 😂😂😂😂 slim daddy for dem girls.”

just_eniola_olayemisi wrote: “No be your fault zino, u no just get choice that to continue to dey craze 🥺 I feel for u my bro.”

zaza_mula112 wrote: “Zino Dey enjoy, while seyi vibe Dey cry under record label 😂😂.”

jamesmike7837 wrote: “See person be like broom stick😂.”

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sheis_shuga wrote: “Who Dey decive you werey 😢😢see as u slim like who get HIV 😢😔🙄🥺Dooh.”

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