Just in: EFCC nabs ex-gov over alleged N27bn scam

Published

3 weeks ago

September 28, 2024

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have nabbed former Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, over an alleged N27bn fraud.

It was gathered that Ishaku, who left office in 2023 after serving as governor for eight years, was picked up at his Abuja residence in the early hours of Friday.

Sources within the commission told Daily Trust that the former governor was still in the anti-graft agency’s custody as of when filing this report Friday night.

One of the sources revealed that at least 15-count charges have been filed against Ishaku and he would be arraigned in court soon, as evidence against him has been compiled.

“Yes, he’s in our custody right now. We have been investigating him covertly since he left as the State governor. There is a lot of financial malfeasance he perpetrated,” the source said.

Another source said he was detained after he could not provide satisfactory explanations for the financial impropriety that occurred under his watch.

When contacted, the spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development to our correspondent but declined further comments.

Ishaku’s arrest comes on the heels of the ongoing face-off between the commission and the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who was said to have stolen N80.2bn.

Credit: Punch News

Companies Blame Host Communities For Oil Theft, Pipeline Vandalism

Published

11 mins ago

October 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…seek intervention of NASS for legal framework

By Gloria Ikibah

Aieto and Nigeria Agip (now Oando) Oil companies have given different submissions before the House of Representatives’ Environment Committee, during the ongoing investigative hearing into oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and their environmental impact in oil-producing states on Tuesday in Abuja.

The hearing was occasioned by a lot of petitions from host communities affected by Aieto’s and Oando’s operations, who drew special attention on the environmental and economic concerns caused by oil spills and sabotage.

Both companies stressed the need for legislative intervention by the House of Representatives to create legal framework that discourages acts harmful to the nation’s economy and ecosystem.

Oando Team Lead, Philip Akuduro, blamed a significant portion of oil spillage on host communities, citing theft and vandalism as primary causes.

He stated, “Data by Oando on Burutu in Southern Ijaw revealed that virtually over 90% of oil theft and pipeline vandalism were perpetrated by members of the host communities, whose increasing penance and capacity to steal from the common well knows no bounds.”

“Host communities are individually and collectively sabotaging efforts of oil companies to minimize incidences of spillages in their area. Our operations, largely covering onshore and marshy areas, are easily accessible to vandals. Their activities result in spillage and pollution, as oil spills are swiftly spread by strong underwater currents.”

But members of the committee, mostly from the Niger Delta region, led by Chairman Rep. Julius Pondi (representing Ijaw South), vehemently were against the generalized accusations.

They particularly objected to the terms “increasing appetite and capacities for theft,” and therefore urged Oando to withdraw the statement, which the company did spot-on.

Chief Operating Officer of Aieto, Ewarezi Useh, who emphasised the importance of maintaining a good relationship with host communities, however noted that vested interests often lead to conflicts between oil companies and local communities.

Useh credited such clashes to the significant drop in production to 700,000 barrels per day in 2018, which later improved through the efforts of combined security stakeholders.

Rep. Julius Pondi reaffirmed the commitment of the committee to address the root causes of environmental degradation and pollution caused by oil company operations.

He disclosed that there will be an oversight visit to Oando’s operation sites in Delta State to verify their claims of cleaning up the aftermath of a May 2024 oil spill in the area.

News

Just in: Final knockout for Fubara as Supreme Court refuses to grant stay of execution request

Published

4 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Austin Ojomah

It is final blow as he Supreme Court today, denied Fubara Stay of Execution asking the counsels to the Rivers state Government to obey the Apoeal Court judgment while their Appeal are been heard.

Fubara and his 3 Lawmakers may have to kiss the dust with this latest development.

Information reaching me Sat’s INEC will this week announce dates for Bye election into the vacant seats.

More details shortly…

News

University Don Tells FG To Sanction NUPENG President, General Secretary Over Failure To Curtail Tanker Fire Fatalities*

Published

4 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Victims of Wednesday’s inferno in Jigawa State where over 100 people were burnt to death have received sympathy from an American based Professor of Humanity who called on the Federal government to sanction the leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over failure to curtail incessant deaths arising from tanker-related accidents across the country.

Professor Josephine T. Abubakar from University of Maryland, United States also commiserated with the families who lost loved ones in the tragic incident and prayed that God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

In a statement she made available to newsmen on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 she said Nigerian ministry of petroleum resources in collaboration with the National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) need to activate Safe-To-Load Initiative to mitigate incessant petroleum products tanker accidents and ensuing fire outbreaks in Nigeria.

The University don said, “It is highly irresponsible of an oil Union like NUPENG, especially its General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale for not reacting officially to a national tragedy caused by one of the branches of its union, PTD in particular. This is horrible and unbelievable, over 100 lives met their untimely death. NUPENG should not only be seen collecting multiple levies and dues from Tanker Drivers, but should be seen putting adequate safety measures in place to avoid fatalities like the one the country witnessed on Wednesday.

“The deaths was a colossal loss for Nigeria, and what made it more worrisome and heart-rending was that it could be avoided but NUPENG and PTD have failed in their responsibilities, rather they concentrate on bickering over leadership tussle, legal fireworks and other ventures that can bring pecuniary gains for them at the expense of their defenseless members. It’s a shame that Augustine Egbon, a stooge in PTD who was hand-picked to be the National Chairman has also been silent about this recent calamity. NUPENG has outrightly failed Nigeria to say the least.

“However, this is the best time for the Nigerian government to look into the activities of NUPENG and PTD so that public safety and security will no longer be put into jeopardy. Nigeria has lost many lives as a result of negligence, weak and incompetent leadership in NUPENG and PTD who cannot even fix its internal crisis but disgracing themselves on the pages of newspapers and the internet on a daily basis.

“The call also goes to Nigerian ministry of petroleum resources to collaborate with the National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) so as to activate Safe-To-Load Initiative to mitigate incessant petroleum products tanker accidents and ensuing fire outbreaks in Nigeria.

“PTD used to be known for operational excellence and robust safety checklist for loading of petroleum products at terminals, retail outlets and depots but since Afolabi came to the saddle as General Secretary, the Union has been in tatters. Government must overhaul NUPENG and PTD, if need be, Afolabi and the President should be sacked while the DSS can take over the affairs of the union, until a proper election is conducted. There is nothing new, this has happened in NUPENG before”, she said.

The professor further appealed to Tinubu led government to be committed in ensuring safe roads for petroleum products distribution in the country and as well continue to create laudable interventions that can cushion the hardships faced by tanker drivers in their task of distributing products across the country, while also stressing that law enforcement agencies must as well show cooperation, support and provide security/succor for the hardworking tanker drivers.