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Alleged scam: EFCC Impounds Okowa’s Passport
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has seized the international passport of the former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Okowa was nabbed by the anti-graft agency on November 4, 2024, over an alleged diversion of N1.3tn derivation fund.
The N1.3trn amounted to a 13 per cent derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.
He was also accused of failing to render accounts of the funds as well as another N40bn he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.
Okowa also allegedly bought shares of N40bn in one of the major banks in the country, representing eight per cent equity to float the offshore LNG.
According to sources in the commission, Okowa was at the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and was subsequently arrested by officials of the commission.
A source privy to the matter but not permitted to speak with journalists said Okowa had been released since last week Wednesday, after meeting his bail conditions.
The source said one of the conditions was to submit his travel documents with the agency, pending the conclusion of the matter.
“Okowa is no longer in our custody. He was released last Wednesday after meeting his bail conditions, which include depositing his travel documents with the commission, pending the conclusion of our investigations of the allegations against him.
“The sum allegedly is too huge to take risks. And what we have done is not out of place. This is to prevent anyone under investigation from jumping the bail he/she had been granted,” he said.
Several calls put through to the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were not answered.
He was also yet to respond to the message sent to him on the matter as of the time of filing this report.
Speaking on his trial, Okowa described the allegation that he misappropriated N1.3tn oil derivation funds while in office as laughable and totally false.
Speaking when he received the national leadership of Urhobo Progress Union, led by its President General, Chief Ese Owe, on a solidarity visit at his residence in Asaba, on Tuesday, Okowa said he was not worried by the EFCC invitation.
The former governor, who was speaking publicly on the issue for the first time since his return from honouring the EFCC invitation, said he was confident that he would come out clean.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifejika, the former governor disclosed that the petitioners were driven by mundane political considerations but asserted that he would continue to support Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to deliver on the mandate freely given to him by the Delta people.
“It was a petition written several months ago, but unfortunately, with the politics of our time, some people decided to ensure that Okowa must be invited by the EFCC.
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“People are genuinely uncomfortable about Okowa and I was actually invited and I went there by myself and the first thing I saw was that they said I misappropriated N1.3tn. I said, do you know the kind of money you are talking about?
“To successfully take N1.3tn, it means you have to be taking between N16bn and N20bn every month into your pocket. I don’t even know if the President of this country will be able to do that, not to talk of the governor of Delta State.
“They have forgotten that the first in three years we came into office – 2015, 2016 and 2017 – the money that was coming into the state was not even enough to pay salaries at all.
“Some local governments like Ethiope East were owing as much as 15 months salaries and even in the state here, some people were getting half salaries.
“Delta State is the highest salary-paying state in this nation; our salaries grew to the level that salaries and pensions went up to over N11bn in a month.
“There are some states whose total staff strength is less than 18,000, but here in Delta, we have over 56,000 workers,” he said.
The former governor added, “Workers always received their salaries promptly while we also embarked on all the projects that were done, and nobody thinks about it, especially the projects we did in the riverine areas. But, I know that the people are not happy with those who wrote the petition.”
He said, “Personally, I am not against investigation because the EFCC has to do its job, and I know that I have done everything how it ought to be done.
“For every allegation, they will investigate, and when they have found the truth, they will stop, but for those who sent a wrong communication, it is rather unfortunate.
“I just pray for them because when you allow yourself to be used as a tool when evil starts to come, the impact will be so much, but I pray that God will forgive them.
“I know that by the special grace of God, we have done the things we ought to do to the best of our ability and by the special grace of God, Governor Oborevwori is beginning to do a lot.
“I believe that by next year, he will do a lot more. So, let me assure you that I will continue to support the UPU and the governor of the state as much as I can because I know that he has a lot to offer this state.”
He commended the UPU for its support to him over the years, saying, “I thank the UPU and the Urhobos because they supported me a lot and they also believe in equity because I always got more votes from them than their sons who contested against me.”
Earlier, the President-General of UPU had said that their visit was to thank the former governor for supporting their son, Oborevwori, to emerge as governor of the state.
News
Enugu ready to provide evidence against Ekpa, hails arrest
Enugu State Government has hailed the Government of the Republic of Finland for the arrest of the Finland-based leader of the criminal gang, Autopilots, Simon Ekpa, describing him as a common criminal, con man, and terrorist, who has no interest of Igbo people at heart.
The government also described Ekpa as a murderer and fraudster, who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery, saying that Enugu State was ready and willing to provide evidence of Ekpa-sponsored atrocities against Ndigbo to aid his trial and conviction, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday.
“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster, who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region.
See also Bauchi: Head teacher bags 11 years jail term for sexually assaulting 6-year-old pupil
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work. He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra,” the government said.
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“Men Need To Submit Too”, says Pastor Olumide, Quotes Bible Passage To Back His Statement (Video)
A pastor has stated that submission in a marriage is not a requirement for women alone.
Pastor Olumide Emmanuel explained that a Christian marriage is not based on “culture” but on the teachings of the kingdom and as a result, men should respect their wives’ opinions and superior judgment and submit when appropriate.
He said: “Men, I will tell you for free, respect a woman’s sensitivity if you want to do well in life.
“Ask any married man that will be honest with you, there are things that if we did not listen to our wife we’d be in trouble by now. And there are times that we didn’t listen, we enter trouble.
“So if you’re a young person now, don’t let Africa kill you. ‘I’m a man of this house, I’m a man of this house, you can’t tell me what to do’. Forget that nonsense.
“Marriage is not an African culture, it’s a kingdom culture and in the kingdom the bible says, submitting yourself one to another. Mutual submission is a kingdom agenda for the marriage.
“So there are times you need to submit to your wife. Submit to your woman.”
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SEE Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today, 22 November 2024
The black market dollar to Naira exchange rate on Friday 22 November 2024 can be accessed below.
NewsOnline Nigeria has obtained the official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates. Please note that the exchange rate is subject to hourly fluctuations influenced by the supply and demand of dollars in the market. As of now, you can purchase 1 dollar at a certain rate now, however, it’s important to remember that the rate can shift (either upwards or downwards) within hours.
How much is a dollar to naira today in the black market?
Dollar to naira exchange rate today black market (Aboki dollar rate):
According to Bureau De Change (BDC) sources, the exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players bought a dollar for N1710 and sold it for N1750 on Friday, November 22, 2024.
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate N1730
Selling Rate N1740
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Buying Rate N1745
Selling Rate N1750
Please note that the rates you buy or sell forex may be different from what is captured in this article because prices vary.
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