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Kogi officials report at EFCC HQ over alleged N46b fraud
Following an ex parte order by a Federal Court in Abuja declaring them wanted, two officials of the Kogi State government, Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Shuaibu Oricha, have turned themselves in at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters.
The court had ordered their arrest to have them appear before it to answer criminal allegations relating to withdrawal of N46,039,579,919.38 in cash from the state’s coffers, among others.
The order was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite last Tuesday in a motion ex parte filed by the anti-graft agency and marked as suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/909/2024.
The case is one of the latest litigations by the EFCC against several Kogi officials and associates. It was gathered that the two officials made themselves available to explain their position in respect of the matter as law-abiding citizens.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said: “The Kogi State Government can confirm that two of her officials are currently at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja in response to a report that a Federal High Court ordered their arrest. Despite not receiving an official invitation, they decided to voluntarily report at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.
“We have not been told the specific details about the allegations against them, but it may not be unconnected to the ongoing investigations regarding some present and former government officials.
“The officials reported as law-abiding citizens of Nigeria to further demonstrate that the Government of Kogi State has nothing to hide, and will always open her books to lawful investigations.
“We hope that the EFCC will respond to the patriotic action of the officials by remaining professional in conducting their investigations. As a Government, we are always prepared to cooperate with anti-graft agencies to prove our transparency and retain the confidence of our development partners, who have consistently given us awards in recognition of our unflinching transparency, accountability and probity.”
The Guardian gathered that the EFCC’s motion was consequent upon work by one of its investigating officers, Audu Abubakar, on the duo for graft claims.
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Air Force Begins Moving Electoral Materials For Edo Guber Election
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has began airlifting the sensitive election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.
The operation is part of the NAF’s efforts to ensure the timely and secure delivery of materials necessary for a smooth electoral process.
This development reinforces the collaboration between NAF and INEC to facilitate logistics and ensure a peaceful election in Edo State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously reiterated NAF’s commitment to providing airlift support for the swift movement of electoral materials during a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
This airlift operation is a crucial aspect of NAF’s constitutional responsibility to provide Military Aid to Civil Authority, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting democratic processes in Nigeria. With the election just days away, the NAF’s timely intervention will help ensure the successful conduct of the governorship elections in Edo State.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had earlier accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters in the state and force them into hiding ahead of September 21 governorship election.
Obaseki, who made the allegation when a delegation led by the former Head of State, Abdusalam Abubakar, met with him to get the governor and his party to sign peace accord, said that the IGP had made nonsense of his (Obaseki’s) role as the chief security officer of the state.
The governor had said that the police chief obtained a warrant to arrest 60 members and supporters of PDP in Edo and that the IGP sent an armed “gang” of policemen who invaded the state, attacked PDP members, shot at a local government chairman and arrested 10 persons who are currently being detained in Abuja without charges.
Asked by the former head of state if his party would sign the peace accord, Obaseki said, “The person who is supposed to enforce the peace accord is now an active participant in creating a destructive environment.
“We are now in a situation where from the Inspector General’s office, there are armed gang policemen who came into Edo State, invaded, arrested and took away PDP members.
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“Dancing gives me abundant joy and peace of mind”-Gov Adeleke
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has given reasons why he loves dancing.
The ‘Dancing Governor’, as he is fondly called, revealed this on Wednesday while responding to a tweet on X.
An X user, @Iwogoke, while praising the governor, stated that Adeleke has been busy fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of Osun State, while his political opponents believe he is only good at dancing.
Iwogoke tweeted, “I’m not flattering you, Your Excellency, your opponents think you can only dance but while they are busy shouting and calling you ‘Dancing Governor’, you are busy fulfilling your electoral promises to the people.”
Responding to the tweet via his verified X account, Adeleke explained that he loves dancing because it brings him joy.
Speaking further on his love for dancing, Adeleke highlighted that while dancing brings him immense happiness, his greater fulfilment comes from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun.
Outlining his administration’s efforts to enhance the state’s infrastructure, he noted that primary health centre rehabilitation is underway in at least 200 out of the 332 wards across Osun State, adding that road construction projects are also progressing in every local government area.
He wrote, “Dancing gives me joy, but delivering on my electoral promises and providing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Osun gives me even greater joy. Rehabilitation of primary health centers is ongoing in at least 200 out of 332 wards, and road construction is progressing in every Local Government!”
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