News

How Emefiele Awarded Contracts To Wife, Brother-In-Law During Tenure As CBN Governor, Witness Tells Court

Published

3 months ago

June 24, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The seventh prosecution witness has told court that the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, awarded contracts to companies owned by his wife and brother-in-law.

The witness, Michael Agboro, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja that the contracts were approved by Emefiele when he was the apex bank governor.

He also said that Emefiele was an employee of the CBN and not a member of the tender’s board or procurement department.

Emefiele is facing trial on a 20-count amended charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at FCT High Court.

The EFCC has accused Emefiele of forging a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201, purportedly from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Also, Emefiele is accused of using his position to confer unfair and corrupt advantages on two companies: April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agboro, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN).

When asked if Emefiele conferred unfair and corrupt advantages on himself, Agboro responded that Emefiele conferred these advantages on Saadatu Yaro, a public officer working under him, as well as on his wife and brother-in-law.

The witness admitted that the investigation focused on Emefiele, his wife, relatives, and associates, revealing that Emefiele was not a director, shareholder, or account signatory in either April 1616 Nigeria Ltd or Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

He also noted there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies during his duties at the CBN.

When asked if they interviewed people in the CBN to verify whether the two firms executed their contracted jobs, Agboro confirmed they did but could not recall if this was included in the final report.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on March 11, Agboro tendered several documents, including company registration documents and records of contract awards and payments.

He added that his team’s investigation, which included members from the ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the Department of State Services (DSS), showed that while Yaro, a director of April 1616, was a public officer with the CBN, Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile, and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo, were directors in Architekon.

He said, “We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates.

“Our findings revealed that the defendant was not a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April1616 limited or Architekon Nigeria limited.”

The trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, adjourned the matter until Tuesday, June 25 for the re-examination of the witness.

News

Edo guber: LP’s Akpata remains a front runner, set to capture Edo

Published

45 mins ago

September 20, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Less than twenty-four hours to the start of voting in Saturday’s governorship poll in Edo State, a rash of fake news has broken out.

Leading parties in the election have had their fair shares of fake news either indicating the withdrawal of their candidates or disqualification by a Magistrate Court or Supreme Court.

For instance, Olumide Akpata of LP was said to have withdrawn from the race and thrown his support for Asue Ighodalo in a statement that read smoothly and appeared convincing.

THE CONCLAVE sent the statement to Akpata via WhatsApp for confirmed.

He responded by sending the same statement with FAKE NEWS boldly stamped on it.
He said he was set for victory at the poll.

There was also a news flash about the Supreme Court disqualifying Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, with a sign off: More details coming….

A Magistrate Court in Abuja was also reported to have disqualified Monday Okpebholo of the APC from the poll on account of age falsification.

The APC campaign organisation had swiftly put a lie to the report by deploying the court papers in the circumstance.

News

Guber poll :PDP govs storm Edo to support Ighodalo

Published

47 mins ago

September 20, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Barely 24hours to governorship election in Edo State, no fewer than two governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday arrived Benin City.

The governors, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Kefas Agbu of Taraba, arrived the state to mobilise support for the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Fintiri made this known in a post on his social media page on Friday evening.

He said : “Just touched down in Edo State alongside my brother, Gov. Agbu Kefas, ahead of the September 21st gubernatorial election. We stand united in support of our Official PDP Nigeria candidate, Asue ighodalo, for a brighter future.”

Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is the PDP leader in the state, had earlier cried out over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress to rig the election.

As at the time of filling this report, it was unclear if other PDP governors would also hit the state for the election

News

Speed Darlington taunt Burna Boy about his grammy award (+Video)

Published

58 mins ago

September 20, 2024

Austin Ojomah

……. As Speed Darlington queries Afrobeats singer, Burna Boy over his Grammy win.

By Ojomah Austin.

Controversial Nigerian rapper, Speed Darlington has sparked controversy with his claims that Burna Boy’s Grammy Award win can be attributed to the influential role of American rapper and entrepreneur, P. Diddy.

Amid allegations against US rapper, P.Diddy, resulting in his arrest, Speed Darlington suggested that Burna Boy had an intimate relationship with Diddy which paved the way for him to win the Grammy.

Speed Darlington’s bold and contentious assertion comes amidst recent allegations surrounding Diddy, who was reportedly arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on charges of human trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

In a provocative Instagram video, Speed Darlington credited Diddy for Burna Boy’s rapid ascent to international fame and Grammy success, highlighting the American rapper’s significant impact on Burna Boy’s music career.

Speed Darlington openly challenged Burna Boy to disclose the nature of his relationship with Diddy. Suggesting an amorous relationship between the duo, he blatantly asked Burna Boy to reveal how many bottles of oil Diddy used on his buttocks before he was able to win a Grammy.

In his words:

“It wasn’t long after Burna Boy posted a photo of him and Diddy that he won a Grammy Award. Burna Boy, don’t be offended, but how many oils did Diddy use on your nyash before they gave you the Grammy Award?”.

In response to Speed Darlington’s video, One @oluchukwu_____ wrote: “Akpis confidence need to be studied 😂😂.”

vibe_with_fiona wrote: “When burna comes for him,make una no say burna too do o?”

godson_allsom wrote: “If there is Grammy for comedians 😂 akpi for done win like 10.”

official_kahlan wrote: “Presido I don tire to defend you 😂 ga zu ike 🙄.”

asikosharon50 wrote: “Very anyhow talk, Burnaboy won Grammy for his hard work and talent . If na Diddy dey share Grammy why him own Artist for him label nor dey win the Grammy? Na him be say Tems dey and wizkid sef they nick people dem work with naa, useless talk …”

jaytee_yna wrote: “I’m a big fan of Akpi but this is so irrelevant and irresponsible. Burna’s hardwork & God’s grace gave him the Grammy. Okbye!”

lorah_irez wrote: “If person never bèat akpi he no go rest, wetin be this na 😂😂😂.”