News
Freeze Edo accounts, lawyers tell EFCC, Police
The Network of Edo Lawyers has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Police to freeze the bank accounts of the Edo State Government ahead of the November 12 inauguration Governor-Elect Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The lawyers also frowned at the swearing in of a new Accountant General by the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, alleging that the action was a plot to enable the administration withdraw more money from the banks.
The EFCC picked Edo Accountant General and two other officials last week following questionable last-minute withdrawals from the state accounts, a development which made the Governor to swear in a replacement on Thursday.
In a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the group of lawyers, called on the anti-graft agency and the Nigeria Police Force to freeze all Edo State Government accounts as “Governor Obaseki has gone berserk, pulling out all revenues that belong to the State, six days to leaving office.”
The statement by leader of the network, Barrister Julius Ilenkhe claimed: “These monies belong to Edo state and not Obaseki. He tried to use supplementary budget, which the Speaker of Edo state turned down”.
“Now he wants to clear the state accounts in all the banks by appointing a new Accountant General, since the former Accountant General is cooling off with EFCC over suspicious withdrawal of over N14 billion last week.
“The race to protect Edo state must be collective as one man cannot destroy the state because of his high appetite.
“It is important that all security agencies and the good people of the state and Nigeria join hands together to prevent this arbitrary looting of public funds.
“Obaseki is not spending money on any transition process. So what does he need these billions of Naira?”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a state visit to France.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Emmanuel Macron invited his Nigerian counterpart to the European country.
Onanuga said the three-day visit will focus “on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation among others”.
“President Tinubu who will be traveling with the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, will be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.”
“During the visit, President Tinubu and President Macron will harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication. They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.
“Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative,” the statement read.
Tinubu and his wife who will be hosted to a state dinner by the French leader before their departure, will be accompanied by top government officials.
Nigeria’s Presidency has said that as Port Harcourt Refinery begins operations on Tuesday, about 200 trucks are set to load petroleum production at the government-owned plant.
A presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, disclosed this in a statement through his official X handle on Tuesday.
This comes as they Nigerian National Petroleum Company on Tuesday announced that Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced crude oil processing.
Reacting, Dare said, “200 trucks are expected to load products daily from the refinery, Renewing the Hopes of Nigeria.”
He added that “the Port Harcourt refinery has two wings.
“The Old Refinery comes on stream today with an installed production capacity of 60, 000 barrels per day of crude oil.”
Provide Adequate Security For Transmission Towers Across Nigeria – Reps Tell FG
JUST IN: Tinubu Heading For France
200 trucks expected to load products daily from Port Harcourt Refinery —Presidency
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
Metro14 hours agoGunmen Kidnap Deputy Superintendent Of Corrections, 15 Others
-
News14 hours agoFew Months After Retirement From Winners Chapel, Bishop David Abioye Launches New Ministry, Gives Reasons
-
Sports15 hours agoMohamed Salah Speaks On Dumping Liverpool Amid Contract Delay
-
Politics14 hours agoINEC knocks PDP governors over election rigging allegations
-
Politics14 hours agoCross River: PDP members stage protest over ousted chairman
-
Metro15 hours agoSAD! Cult war claims life of groom on wedding day
-
Metro14 hours agoNigerians call on NAFDAC to probe viral ‘organic weight gain pap’ for babies
-
News10 hours agoBREAKING: Makarfi dies in Kaduna at 93