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Zamfara Gov, Dauda Lawal Loses Private Jet in Lagos Over Alleged Scam

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal was the victim of an elaborate scheme that saw him lose ownership of a private jet worth $6.3 million to a crafty pair of aviation business executives in Lagos.

Peoples Gazette learnt through documents and sources that Mr Lawal has been silent about the fraud because he feared raising it with Nigerian authorities would trigger suspicion about how he managed to heap over $6 million on a personal aircraft in the first place.

He was a banker at First Bank of Nigeria Plc when he bought the plane, which he secretly registered under the name of a couple running a jet-leasing venture at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, The Gazette learnt.

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The Gazette heard that the husband, Ovi Osazele, changed ownership of the jet to his own name after parting ways with his wife, Gloria Osazele, and fleeing to the United States, leaving Mr Lawal in limbo.

The governor did not return The Gazette’s requests for comment. His press secretary committed twice to get a response for this story but ultimately declined. A legal representative for Ms Osazele did not return a request seeking comments. Mr Osazele could not be reached for comments, and The Gazette heard he was at large.

Mr Lawal’s ordeal began in 2014 when he moved to buy the plane by paying Jet Leasing Support Services Ltd, a firm run by the now-estrange couple that purportedly handled fleet management and aircraft acquisition and services for high-net-worth individuals.

Our sources said that Mr Lawal, elected governor in 2023, concealed the purchase under the couple’s name because he knew his legitimate earnings as a First Bank official were significantly below the multimillion-dollar deal. He paid Jet Leasing a $250,000 broker fee to hold the title of the jet and manage its use for him.

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“The governor refused to report the matter because it would raise questions about how he got the money,” a source close to Mr Lawal said.

The arrangement, however, turned sour after Ms Osazele discovered in 2015 that her husband had changed the jet’s ownership to his name. She claimed she made several attempts to recover the jet for Mr Lawal, but a source familiar with the matter said Mr Lawal believed she was in on the same. The couple had a nasty fallout that ended in divorce in 2020.

Ms Osazele fled Nigeria to Canada shortly after the divorce and told authorities there that her ex-husband was trying to kill her because of their disagreement over Mr Lawal’s private jet.

She accused her husband of sending Black Axe cult members to make an attempt on her life, leading her to seek asylum in Canada. However, Canadian asylum officers rejected her application for asylum because it was replete with inconsistent and outright false submissions.

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Notwithstanding, a judicial review of her application overturned the decision to deny her asylum and remanded the matter to another asylum officer for a fresh evaluation. This decision, which came in May, would allow Ms Osazele to linger in Canada for a few more years while her case is reprocessed.

Even though Ms Osazele told Canadian authorities the jet was later returned to Mr Lawal, sources close to the governor said it was not returned, and the governor was still trying to get hold of the couple.

“They both disappeared and no one could tell us their whereabouts,” a source close to the governor said. “She lied that she returned the jet.”

Mr Lawal was identified as one of Diezani Allison-Madueke’s top allies, particularly in the former petroleum minister’s multibillion-dollar money-laundering scandal that made headlines in Nigeria, the United States and the UK. He tried to retrieve $40 million from over $153 million forfeited by Ms Allison-Madueke to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2017.

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Mr Lawal’s name was repeatedly mentioned in several charges stacked against Ms Alison-Madueke and was invited on several occasions by the anti-graft commission to clarify his role, or lack thereof, in the alleged fraud.

He denied all allegations of helping Ms Allison-Madueke hide stolen public funds and insisted their relationship was purely “professional.”

According to a statement in 2016, Mr Lawal said all Nigerian banks were eager to establish a rapport with Ms Alison-Madueke, who was petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015, implicitly suggesting that First Bank was no exception among businesses that sought favours from the infamous ex-minister.

Mr Lawal resigned from First Bank to successfully seek elected office in Zamfara’s 2023 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party, facing and denying accusations by political opponents that he was a money-launderer.

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Source: The Gazette

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Brain Drain, Infrastructure, Resource Allocation Challenges Of Health Sector – Reps

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has highlighted the detrimental impact of the mass migration of health workers from Nigeria, describing it as a major challenge to the country’s healthcare system.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health Institutions,  Rep. Amos Magaji, stated this during a public hearing on 16 bills aimed at establishing various health institutions, on Thursday in Abuja.
Rep. Magaji underscored the need for better distribution of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, to address population growth and healthcare gaps.
He noted, “Recently, there has been an enormous migration of doctors, nurses, and other health workers in search of ‘greener pastures,’ leaving Nigeria’s health sector severely understaffed. To improve the sector, we must invest in human resources, medical intelligence, and the administrative appointment of capable persons based on merit.”
The Chairman also brought to light the infrastructural deficiencies in healthcare institutions across the country, citing inadequate funding, lack of maintenance, and insufficient equipment as recurring issues.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Jimoh Olawale Salahudeen, in his submission warned against the duplication of health institutions, and stated that such efforts would strain the already scarce resources.
He explained, “Existing Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centers in Nigeria, including those in the North West, already provide cardiovascular care and related services. Establishing a new institute would add financial burden without addressing the core issues.”
Pate also acknowledged the migration of health workers and the need for a stronger workforce to handle emerging health challenges.
“The Federal Ministry of Health supports the establishment of new institutions but insists on considering geographical spread, population density, and disease burden in proposed locations,” he added.
The hearing emphasised the need for balanced development in the healthcare sector, adequate funding for existing institutions, and policies to retain health professionals in Nigeria.
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Access Bank (UK) Limited to Acquire AfrAsia Bank Limited

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By Gloria Ikibah
Access Holdings PLC has announced that its subsidiary, The Access Bank UK Limited (“Access UK”), has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in AfrAsia Bank Limited, the third-largest bank in Mauritius by total assets.
Mauritius, known for its strong financial sector, which contributes 13.4 per cent to its GDP, offers Access UK a strategic base to grow its personal and corporate banking services.
This was contained in a statement by its Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, made available to Naijablitznews.com on Thursday.
According to Ekwochi, the acquisition will also position Mauritius as a hub for Access Bank’s trade finance operations, enhancing its ability to manage cross-border transactions across Africa and internationally.
AfrAsia Bank, as of June 30, 2024, reported total assets of over $5.7 billion and a net profit after tax of $152.4 million, underlining its solid financial position.
**Key statements on the acquisition:**
– Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, speaking on the acquisition said:  “This acquisition is a crucial step in our African growth strategy, strengthening our position as a top Pan-African financial institution. Mauritius’ role as a financial hub aligns with our vision to unlock opportunities that drive trade, support businesses, and promote economic inclusion across the region.”
Also Managing Director of Access Bank UK, Jamie Simmonds, stated: “AfrAsia Bank’s strong balance sheet and established brand in Mauritius give us a solid platform for sustainable growth. This deal supports our strategy to diversify earnings and provide clients with seamless access to global markets.”
Access Bank UK aims to promote sustainable growth, deliver innovative financial solutions, and support trade between Africa and the world.
The acquisition process will be finalized in the coming months, with updates provided as needed.
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FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

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“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.

“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.

“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.

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“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”

During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]

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