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Orji Kalu: EFCC marks Sun newspaper, other properties for seizure

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Orji Kalu: EFCC marks Sun newspaper, other properties for seizure

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his may not be the best times for the jailed Nigeria Senator and former Abia State Governor, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu following Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Saturday began marking for seizure properties belonging to the former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu.

According to a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the action came following an order by a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court to wound up assets belonging to Mr Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Ltd.

Last week, Mr Kalu, a senator representing Abia North, was sentenced 12 years in prison for a N7.65 billion fraud.

Read EFCC statement below

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday,
December 14, 2019, marked properties belonging to a former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu.

The marking is to ensure that the properties are not dissipated, following the December 5, 2019 order of Justice Muhammed Idris sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos that Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, be wound up and all assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

EFCC marks Orji Kalu's properties for seizure

Kalu, who is the Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly, had been arraigned alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeh Udeogu, his Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House, over an amended 39-count charge bordering on conspiring and diverting the sum of N7.65bn from the coffers of the state.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC, thereby leading to their full trial.

In the course of the trial, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, called 19 witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court.

The defendants, however, testified on behalf of themselves during the trial.

EFCC marks Orji Kalu's properties for seizure

The parties, during the proceedings on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, adopted their final written addresses.

In his final submission, the prosecution counsel, Jacobs, urged the judge to jail the defendants, saying the prosecution had proved the allegations against them.

Jacobs also urged the court to wind up the company as provided by the Law and all its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

However, the defence counsel urged the court to “dismiss the charges, acquit and discharge” their clients.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Idris found the defendants guilty on all counts.

Justice Idris held that the prosecution had established its case against the defendants.

The Judge further held that “the case was conclusively investigated, as the prosecution conducted thorough investigations.”

EFCC marks Orji Kalu's properties for seizure

Justice Idris, therefore, convicted and sentenced the first defendant, Kalu to five years imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; three years on counts 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33; 12 years on counts 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 and five years on count 39.

The second defendant was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment on counts 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32 and 10 years on counts 34, 37, 38 and 39.

Justice Idris further held that “In respect of the third convict, Slok Nigeria Limited, an order is hereby made that the company shall hereupon and without further assurances, but for this order, be wound up and all its assets and properties forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
14 December, 2019

Edo APC Crisis: IGP Suspends Event, Cites ‘Overriding Internal Security Interests’

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Edo APC Crisis: IGP Suspends Event, Cites ‘Overriding Internal Security Interests’

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he purported rally allegedly being planned by persons claiming to represent the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been suspended till further notice by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, who cited ‘overriding internal security interests.’

The rally was slated to hold at Garrick Memorial College, Ekenwan Road on Friday, December 13, but youths on Thursday besieged major streets in Benin metropolis protesting against the event, which they said put the state’s security framework in jeopardy over concerns linked to cult-related clashes.

In a letter addressed to the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, ACP Idowu Owohunwa, the Police said “in cognizance of the security consequences of the proposed Mega Rally, I am to confirm that the Inspector General of Police has directed the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command to emplace appropriate security framework that is directed at suspending the rally until further notice.

“He has also been directed to summon a meeting of all parties involved in the political development with a view to engaging them towards giving effect to his directives in overriding internal security interests.”

Earlier in the day, hundreds of youths believed to be members of the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) stormed the busy Airport Road in protest of the party’s lingering crisis, factionalisation and imposition of leadership on the people.

The angry youths blocked the two sides of Airport Road, setting burn-fire, thereby causing serious traffic logjam and panic in the state capital, while motorists sought alternative routes out of the area.

The protesting youths also set burn-fire around Golf Course, Akenzua junction and along Akenzua Road in Benin metropolis, thereby disrupting human and vehicular movement.

The youths, however, opened one side of the road to traffic when the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, persuaded those who barricaded the main gate of Benin Airport to allow for free flow of traffic.

He had pleaded, “I am here because of you people. I heard there is a protest here. That is why the Commissioner of Police sent me to find out what the problem is. I am the Area Commander in-Charge of this area. Blocking of the high way is a criminal offence, we appeal to you to open the highway for people to pass. We have instructed the police not to arrest anyone.”

One of the protesters, Lucky Ehimen, who spoke with journalists, charged the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to stop meddling in the state’s politics and concentrate on national issues.

“Oshiomhole should leave us alone in the state and allow us to live in peace as Governor Godwin Obaseki has performed excellently well and the youths in the State are happy with his performance and want him to continue in office. We will not allow any imposition of the leadership of the party in the state,” he said.

Two Nigeria Women Re-Elected Into United Kingdom Parliament

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Two Nigeria Women Re-Elected Into United Kingdom Parliament

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]wo  Nigerians Women have been re-elected into the UK parliament after Thursday’s election.The two female parliamentarians retained their constituencies, having secured victory in the 2015 general election.

One of them is Boris Johnson’s Minister for Children and Families, Kemi Badenoch won via the platform of the Conservative Party.

The second lady, Chi Onwurah, A 54-year-old  Shadow Minister (department for business, energy and industrial strategy) (Industrial Strategy) won using Labour Party. She contested in 2010 under the Labour Party and got elected as the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, replacing the previous Labour MP Jim Cousins, who decided to step down. She is Newcastle’s first black MP.

Badenoch who represents the Saffron Walden constituency in the parliament wrote via her verified Twitter handle, “I’m grateful to the nearly 40,000 people who put their trust in me yesterday. Being your MP is a privilege. I’m proud not just to have won your vote, but to have increased the majority to 27,500! However you voted, I‘ll be working hard for you over the next 5 years!”

We help our Customers in planning and managing their financial lives –Nwankwo(How To Grow)

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We help our Customers in planning and managing their financial lives –Nwankwo(How To Grow)

By : Ike Abiagom & Joyce Uhuegbue

Mr Jude Obinna Nwankwo
Chairman/CEO, How To Grow Ltd.

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ome leaders are born, some achieve leadership, some have leadership thrust upon them, while only very few have all three embedded in them. Jude Obinna Nwankwo , the founding Chairman, How To Grow Limited, the trail-blazing business/Financial  mogul par excellence from  Anambra State, is one of the few good men. He is an embodiment of cerebral articulation, the essence of unparalleled philanthropy, the epitome of intellectual and breathtaking simplicity. The personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul of humanity, the heart of warrior, the perfect gentleman. It is certainly impossible to gloss over his attributes for greatness. He is a perfect gentleman, a man of valour, the bringer of rain. In the gallery of great leaders and great men, he is without doubt, a rare masterpiece.

The true worth of a man is in the way he treats people who are absolutely in need. If you care about people in need, you are actually making a contribution to the development of the nation. We need to give life back to the people. We need to see how we can use the available resources for everybody; create opportunities for all and care, especially for those who are truly in need. The gap between the rich and the poor should be bridged. We must strike a balance with our resources.” This is the Philosophy of Mr Jude Obinna Nwankwo.

In this exclusive interview with Newsbreeze Magazine,he stressed on the need to inculcate the culture and attitude of daily SAVINGS for the betterment of  lives in  Nigeria..

Excerpts:

Sir, Can we meet you ?

 I am Mr Jude Obinna Nwankwo and am from Anambra State.

 Sir, can you tell us more about Your company How To Grow Ltd.,?

How To Grow Limited is a limited liability company. We desire among other things to create an institution where quality service delivery is a priority. An institution that cares for your financial growth, property management and quality constructed buildings. How To Grow Limited is an institution aimed at providing essential services to the general public. Such services include:

  • Financial Management
  • Building Constructions
  • Estate Development/Management

Since its establishment in the year 2000 and since then we have nine branches now, How To Grow Limited has consistently built relationships with her customer, focusing on the fundamentals of good strategy, strong liquidity, risk management and leadership.Over these years, How To Grow Limited has played a key role in financially empowering her numerous customer through inculcating in them the culture and attitude of SAVINGS. This prudent financial management and integrity has mapped us out as the best brand in Micro/Thrift Savings within Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria and its environs in consonance with the brand vision. We ensure that our client get not only his desire but also value for his money. Our designs are superb. Our teams are professionals.

Our brand promise is to always deliver the ultimate “gold standard” of value and excellence. This commitment is anchored on the company’s inherent values of passion, honesty, integrity, team work and people.

Sir, Can you tell us the  working Principles of this Institution?

Our Working Principles we mean those unique attributes, perceptions, norms and values that every staff of this organization must possess and portray. Those principles determine our character, approach to issues and our sense of service to people. Those working principles are what we called the 4Fs and they are:

Focus: This principle concerns with our sense of purpose, our vision and mission; our sense of commitment to self goal; our consistency to quality service delivery.

Every staff of the organization must portray this sense of duty and internal motivation.

Financial Management:

It is one thing to make money; it is another thing to manage such fund. In this part of the world, people expend money not necessarily to satisfy their needs but on the sheer fact that they have the money at hand. This perception made people to spend inappropriately and end up always in need of money.

We really don’t know how to grow money through proper planning and investment. There is this high propensity to spend than to save for rainy day. Yet we struggle daily to make money. And this is what we do in How To Grow Multi-Purpose cooperative limited. We help our members in planning and managing their financial lives through Micro Savings and Loans.

We:

  • Teach our members how to save by encouraging them to save daily.
  • Teach them how to manage their funds by encouraging them to invest properly.
  • Teach and guide them on investment plans, processes and management.
  • Save them from financial frustration.
  • Help them in realization of their dreams and goals.

We help in poverty eradication through our Micro credit facilities with little or no interest at all.

 

  1. Focus: This principle concerns with our sense of purpose, our vision and mission; our sense of commitment to self goal; our consistency to quality service delivery.

Every staff of the organization must portray this sense of duty and internal motivation.

  1. Fast: All the activities in this organization is time bound hence, this principle looks at effective and efficient time management. It also considers physical and mental fitness, agility, smartness and multi-tasking skills.
  • Friendly: In How To Grow Limited, we believe that things get better when people get closer. We aspire at all times to ensure mutual understanding between the company and her clients. We value our clients and respect their individual differences. Just Come Let’s Reason Like Friends.

Flexible: In How To Grow Limited, a level playing ground exists for all. We so much believe in dialogue and we always empathize with our clients.

How To Grow Ltd. Manager receiving An Award at Asaba recently on behalf of the company as ” The Grassroots Financial Builders of the Year 2019″

 

Sir, Apart from Savings and Financial Management, what other services do you render to the Public?

Thank you ,We have How To Grow Electronics and Properties , which is a subsidiary of How To Grow Group that deals specifically on genuine, durable and quality electronics and other household properties.

Our interest is to ensure that genuine electronic products are brought closer to the people hence, save them from buying fake products that are prevalent in the open market.We deal on quality brands such as LG Products, Samsung Products, Midea Products, Thermocool Products, Termashi Products and any other quality brand in the country.

We ensure that all our products are of good quality and standard. We equally ensure that all our products especially the electronics have warranty.

We offer this after-sales-service to give our clients convenience. However, the customer has an option here. We maintain and service every product purchased from us especially those ones on warranty.

We have experts who install gadgets especially those that are very technical.

What would you like to be remembered for ?

I will like to be remembered as a man who helped people in planning and managing their financial lives through Micro Savings, make them to grow financially and be financially independent.

Lagos Hoodlums On Rampage, Attack Residents, Destroy Vehicles, Loot Shops

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Lagos Hoodlums On Rampage, Attack Residents, Destroy Vehicles, Loot Shops

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here was pandemonium in the early hours of Sunday on Freedom Street in the Ebute Meta area of Lagos State as hoodlums stormed the area, burgled shops and vandalised several vehicles. It was gathered that the hoodlums, numbering about 100, were returning from a party around 2am when they attacked the community.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the hoodlums vandalised about 10 vehicles parked on the street and looted five shops.

A resident of the area, Mukaila Aromashodun, told PUNCH Metro that when police personnel from the Denton Police Station were called while the attack was going on, they said there was no fuel in their patrol vehicle.

He stated, “Some hoodlums, numbering about 100, came to attack our community around 3am, broke into some shops and looted the goods there and destroyed over 10 vehicles.

“They operated for more than one hour till we mobilised ourselves to fight back, but they injured about five boys from our area, because they were armed and they later ran to the Oko-Baba area. We were able to recognise two out of the hoodlums.

“When we called the police from the Denton Police Station, while the hoodlums were still operating, we were told that there was no fuel in their patrol vehicle, but they later came this morning after the boys had gone, but we did not attend to them.”

One of the shop owners, Lauretta Anya, told our correspondent that the hoodlums stole all the clothes in her shop.

She said, “I was called on the phone around 5am that hoodlums had broken into my shop; so, I rushed down to the area to see what had happened and I saw that all the goods in my shop had been stolen. I just bought goods to sell for the festive period, but the hoodlums stole everything.

“When I got to my shop, I was told that it was the hoodlums, who used to stay at the junction, who perpetrated this act. I don’t know what to do; I have been crying since because I do not know where to start from. I want the government to come to our aid. I learnt that when the police were called, they said they did not have fuel to come, only to show up this morning.”

Another shop owner, Omobolanle Oyebola, who is a student of the University of Lagos, told our correspondent that she just opened the shop to support her education.

She said, “I was called this afternoon, while sitting my exams, that I should come because my shop had been looted. I had to run from school to the shop and I saw that everything in the shop had been looted, including my refrigerator. I just stocked the shop with goods.”

Another shop owner and resident of the area, Titilayo Aromashodun, said, “We were asleep when we heard the hoodlums using machetes to scratch the ground around 2am; we started hearing some people shouting ‘thieves’ and did not know that it was the guys saying that. Later, we saw them destroying so many things; they started breaking into shops and looting everything inside them.

“This would be the third time the hoodlums would be attacking the community; we have reported to the Baale of Oyingbo and he came here this morning (Sunday) to see what happened. I sell assorted drinks, including wines; the hoodlums stole everything in my shop. I cannot estimate what they took away. They were so patient while looting the shops and when we called the police, they told us that they did not have fuel in their vehicle.”

Reacting to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, told our correspondent that the police responded to the residents’ distress call, adding that two suspects had been arrested.

He said, “There was a distress call and the police responded; two suspects were arrested, Bashir Abdulazeez, 22, and Oladimeji Aliyu, 25. Two stolen phones were recovered from them and they are helping the police with the names of other members of their gang.

“There is an ongoing operation to pick other members of the gang and the Commissioner of Police has also responded by sending the special strike force he has formed to go to the Denton Police Station and help them in this regard.”

Punch

2020 budget of N10.594 trillion passed by Senate

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2020 budget of N10.594 trillion passed by Senate

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igerian Senate on Thursday passed the 2020 budget of N10.594 trillion into law. This is against the proposed budget of N10.33 trillion presented to the joint National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2019.

The passage of the budget, however, represents record-breaking and a deviation from what was obtained in the 8th National Assembly in which budget was passed almost eight months after it was presented.

The 2020 Appropriation Bill was passed into law after a clause by clause consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The Senate specifically approved N10,594,362,364,830 (Ten trillion, Five hundred and Ninety-Four Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty Naira) for the 2020 fiscal year.

The breakdown shows that N560,470,827,235 is for statutory transfers, N2,725,498,930,000 for Debt Service; N4,842,974,600,640 for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure; and N2,465,418,006,955 for Contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending on December 31, 2020.

The budget has a Fiscal deficit of N2.2 trillion and Deficit/Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 1.52 percent.

The budget is predicated on Crude Oil production of 2.18mbpd, just as proposed by the Executive; Oil Price benchmark of 57 dollars per barrel as against US$55 proposed by the Executive, Exchange Rate of N305 to US$1; Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Inflation Rate of 2.93 percent and 10.81 percent respectively.

Capital Expenditure for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) for the 2020 fiscal year are: Ministry of Defence N116,181,290,730; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, N7,608,141,474; Ministry of Information and Culture, N7,555,803,233; Ministry of Interior, N34,035,825,302; Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, N1,722,796,040; Ministry of Police Affairs, N15,959,986,864; Ministry of Communication Technology, N5,919,002,554; and Office of the National Security Adviser, N27,418,469,323.

Others are: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, N25,188,940,930; Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, N2,158,620,395; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, N124,395,096,917; Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, N4,976,199,925; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, N38,583,331,761; Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, N24,445,756,678; Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, N62,882,531,566; Federal Ministry of Transport, N121,366,932,571; and Federal Ministry of Aviation, N52,061,533,122.

Also, for the 2020 fiscal year, the Ministry of Power has an allocation of N129,082,499,363; Ministry of Petroleum Resources, N3,337,444,887; Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, N10,431,563,177; Ministry of Works and Housing, N315,563,564,269; Ministry of Water Resources, N91,679,927,042; Ministry of Justice, N3,853,600,220; Federal Capital Territory Administration, N62,407,154,360; and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, N23,120,350,399.

Others include: Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, N3,735,486,210; Military of Women Affairs, N6,650,300,966; Federal Ministry of Education, N84,728,529,572; Ministry of Health, N59,909,430,837; Federal Ministry of Environment, N12,350,140,731; and Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, N61,085,146,003.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his concluding remarks after the 2020 budget was passed, said, “when we came in, all of us approved our legislative agenda, and one of the key pillars of this agenda is to take back our budget cycle from the very undesirable cycle that can not be defined to something that can be defined and bought into by our country and business partners living in and outside the country.

“Today, we have been able to achieve this. It means where there is will, there is always a way. This is something that we have been able to achieve together with the House of Representatives.

“I must give members of the Ninth National Assembly the credit, because we thought it was going to be impossible.

“Let me also commend the buying-in of the executive arm of government. When we continued to preach that we have to receive the 2020 budget estimates before the end of September, it was not easy for the executive.

“I know they (Executive) worked day and night. So it was presented to us on the 8th of October. We have been able to work harmoniously. There is no way we can achieve this without all of us working together.

“I want to commend our colleagues from the opposition. This Senate from the beginning, we said, will be bi-partisan. You have given us all the support that we require, and indeed, this is the way it should be”, Lawan added.

The Senate President also noted that with the recent passage of landmark legislations such as the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Act, Finance Bills and Public Procurement Bills by the National Assembly, the Executive arm of government is sufficiently empowered to ensure the successful implementation of the 2020 budget.

OMOYELE SOWORE RELEASED FROM DSS DETENTION

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OMOYELE SOWORE RELEASED FROM DSS DETENTION

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]ro-democracy campaigner and Publisher of Saharareporters Omoyele Sowore has been released from detention after more than three months since he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore was arrested and charged to court by the Nigerian government for planning a nationwide tagged #RevolutionNow. He was released on Thursday evening after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his release for the third time.

Sowore is expected to appear in court on Friday for commencement of trial.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Department of State Services to release human rights activists, Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare, within the next 24 hours.

The judge also ordered the DSS to pay the sum of N100, 000 to Sowore for refusing to release him on bail despite two court orders to that effect.

The court also adjourned the trial of the case brought against them by the Nigerian Government till December 6 (tomorrow) for continuation.

The rise and fall of Orji Kalu: From Governor to Senator to Prisoner

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The rise and fall of Orji Kalu: From Governor to Senator to Prisoner

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n Thursday, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced a serving senator and former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, to 12 years in prison after convicting him of N7.65 billion fraud.

Justice Mohammed Idris pronounced Mr Kalu guilty of the charge in a trial that lasted for 12 years.

Mr Kalu was tried alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Udeh Udeogu, who was Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during Mr Kalu’s tenure as governor.

In this analysis, let looks at the rise and fall of Mr Kalu who has been in politics since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

The rise

Born on April 21, 1960, the year Nigeria became independent, Mr Kalu was elected governor of Abia State in the 4th republic.

He served two terms as governor of Abia State from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007, under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Prior to his election, he served as the chairman of the Borno Water Board and the chairman of the Cooperative and Commerce Bank Limited.

Mr Kalu is the chairman of the Daily Sun, a Nigerian daily print newspaper published in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. The newspaper was incorporated on March 29, 2001, and began production as a weekly on January 18, 2003, and as a daily on June 16, 2003, while he was serving as governor.

He also doubles as the chairman of the New Telegraph which targets domestic and foreign readers in major urban centres throughout the country and covers political, social, and cultural issues.

These two newspapers emanated from SLOK Holding, a conglomerate that consists of a number of companies, including the Ojialex Furniture Company, SLOK Nigeria Limited, SLOK United Kingdom Limited, Adamawa Publishers Limited, SLOK Vegetable Oil, Aba, SLOK Paper Factory, Aba, SLOK United States Incorporated, SLOK Ghana, Togo, Cotonou, Guinea, South Africa, Liberia, Botswana, SLOK Korea, Supreme Oil Limited, SLOK Airlines, and First International Bank Limited.

The Trial

On July 11, 2007, Mr Kalu was arrested by EFCC on charges of corruption while serving as the governor of Abia State. He was later released on bail, and accused the Olusegun Obasanjo regime of persecuting him during and after his tenure in office, an accusation mentioned by former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell in his book, “Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink.”

He faced prosecution alongside a former Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during Mr Kalu’s tenure, Ude Udeogo, and Mr Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited.

Though he left office in 2007, in October 2016, EFCC renewed its prosecution and preferred 34 count charges against Mr Kalu. But he and Mr Udeogo pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail.

The EFCC ultimately reactivated Mr Kalu’s case last year, filing amended graft charges of up to N7.7 billion against him. In November 2018, a judge frowned at Mr Kalu’s foreign travel without the permission of the court and the EFCC.

Senatorial Bid

The fact that he was standing corruption trial did not deter the former Abia governor from returning to Nigeria and successfully contesting a senatorial election.

He had in 2015 lost his bid to be elected senator. But he returned in 2019.

He won the Abia North senatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February 2019.

Mr Kalu won with 30,580 votes while the closest opposition candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mao Ohuabunwa, recorded 21,940 votes.

He later emerged as the Senate Chief whip.

Mr Kalu is a staunch supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari. He once said the president is a “close friend and father, who deserves all the support to make Nigeria better.”

The Fall

After 12 years of standing trial, he was eventually sentenced to 12 years in prison on Thursday.

In one of the counts against him, the EFCC alleged that Mr Kalu “did procure Slok Nigeria Limited – a company solely owned by you and members of your family – to retain in its account, domiciled with the then Inland Bank Plc, Apapa branch, Lagos, an aggregate sum of N7,197,871,208.7 on your behalf.”

The prosecution claimed that the N7.1 billion “formed part of the funds illegally derived from the treasury of the Abia State Government and which was converted into several bank drafts before they were paid into the said company’s account.”

The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said the ex-governor violated Section 17(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, and was liable to be punished under Section 16 of the same Act.

Apart from the N7.1bn, which he was accused of laundering, the ex-governor and the other defendants were also accused of receiving a total of N460 million allegedly stolen from the Abia State Government treasury between July and December 2002.

The prosecutor said they breached Section 427 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990. During the trial, the prosecution called 19 witnesses while the defendants testified on behalf of themselves.

Mr Kalu was found guilty of all the 39-count charge filed against him by the EFCC.

Mr Kalu, on Thursday. reportedly smiled at reporters and said, ‘2023, here we come’ as he was led out of the courtroom by Correctional Services officials after his sentencing.

He later reportedly said: “Where are you taking us to now? Please don’t handcuff me. I will follow you.”

PDP Blaming Its Misfortune On Former President Jonathan Is Unfortunate –Garba

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PDP Blaming Its Misfortune On Former President Jonathan Is Unfortunate –Garba
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]arely two weeks after the conduct of the last Governorship election in Bayelsa, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  under the Chairmanship of Mahmood Yakubu,  a Professor, the dust raised by the defeat of the  ruling People’s Democratic Party  , PDP, sponsored Diri Duoye, a Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria and governorship Candidate of the party is yet to settle.

Diehard PDP  and Seriake  Dickson, the state governor  and the party leader loyalists had linked the defeat of the  ruling PDP   Candidate, Duoye,  to the lack mail of the former president by President Muhammadu Buhari  in order to drop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC, alleged Corrupt  Charges against Dame Patience Jonathan, the Wife, and who  incidentally was the former First Lagos to support to  David Lyon, the APC Candidate.

The accusation is gathering weight by the  day but  the former President, who is  an indigene of Otuoke Community , in Ogbia local government, one of the local government  Areas that was said to have  been lost woefully by the PDP  in the state. Many had  expected the Bayelsa state born politician to open  up and state his own side of the case  but  had  kept a closed lips. This may have given his critics  the room to insist   that he former President  sold the  state to the APC to get the Dame Jonathan , the former First Lady out of EFCC hooks.

Moreso, losing Ogbia, the former President’s local government to Party sources was suspicious  given the fact that  the former  words are law in the local government. There are indications that he may have sent out his foot soldiers in the state to work for the APC Candidate  to prove to Dickson,  that he could not   eat his cake and still have it back. But Dickson insists that the primary which produced the PDP Candidate was credible.

He  noted that  the endorsement  of Lyon,  the APC governor –elect by Jonathan,  the former President as  regrettable  and a ploy by  the APC  to strategically take over the state to prepare for 2023 to take  over the entire  south-south   geo-political region made up of Akwa Ibom, Cross river, Delta, Edo, Rivers state, Already Bayelsa , had fallen into the waiting hands of the APC, in the last governorship  election in the state.

Even Uche Secondus, Chairman of the National Chairman of the PDP was said to have  refused  to speak on the outcome of the Bayelsa election which many  believe  was ostensibly  to avoid stepping on powerful toes on the party and the APC government. The All Progressive Congress, PC, which the Bayelsa state  governorship election would not  take it  from any one that the Bayelsa born Nigerian former President played a role in  ensuring that the once  Opposition  party in the state  humiliate Dickson supported PDP Candidate.

Garba Shehu, senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , may have spoken the mind of President   Buhari, when he disclosed that it is utter rubbish  for anyone to say that the former President was blackmailed  by Buhari to  throw his weight behind  David Lyon, the APC flag bearer. Garba, challenged PDPD  supporters in Bayelsa to look for better lies to tell.

Garba: Senior Special Assistant To Buhari On Media And Publicity To Buhari

He noted that if the former President had supported  the  APC  against his own party, the PDP ,  in the state,  there were more than enough reasons for him to do so without the interference of the Katsina state born Nigerian President.   He cited the frosty relationship between the former President and governor Dickson.

The Presidential spokesperson disclosed that the sour relation between the duo was enough reason former President and elder  Statesman  to work against the party,’’ if indeed he did’’.   He would want Nigerians to believe that  that the APC presented a better governorship Candidate  which has the  supports  of people across the parties to sink the PDP in the state.

Dickson, may  not buy the Garba, the APC government  Spokesperson claim  that  he had a sour  working relationship with the former President which cause the party the loss of the Bayelsa state .  The governor  had said  that he went to the former President’s home town, Otuoke six teen times to see him in order to agree on a governorship Candidate for the party  that both of  them could hold hand present to the people of the state but no luck.  an indication that  the former President  may have laid the foundation for the defeat of the party for refusing to identify with the governorship Candidate.

This may have given the people of  the state, particular, the Ogbia and Nembe axis of the state  that  the former President was not in support of Duoye, the PDP governorship Candidate in the November 16, 2019, Bayelsa governorship  election believed to have been imposed on the party  Dickson.

Dickson who still feel  bad that he could not deliver a state he had governed  for almost eight years,  believes  the election was not yet over.

He has told those that cares to listen that the party will  challenge the  outcome of the election in Court , stressing that  the ruling PDP  in the state did not lose the governorship election  which was characterized by violence  and widespread  malpractices in several parts of the state.

Political watchers would want  Duoye and those pushing pushing to challenge the Bayelsa election in the Court of Law to for forget for now  as he will never win.  From Plateau, benue, Taraba, Adamawa  to Kano states  , the Court  had stamped the victory of  party Candidates that won the election in those states. The story  may not be  different in Bayelsa state,  despite the glaring eveidence of riggings in the election.

T Duoye, the PDP governorship Candidate had described the Bayelsa election as the ‘’invasion of the state by  ‘’security Forces’’.  The people  of tBayelsa were denied  the right to vote for the Candidate of their choice’’, Duoye had repeatedly said.

World AIDS Day: How Olikoye Announced How Fela Died Of AIDS

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World AIDS Day: How Olikoye Announced How Fela Died Of AIDS

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]aturday August 2 1997 ,‘At 2115 the Ransome Kuti family issued a Press statement which said that the Chief Priest died about 1700 at a Lagos hospital. The family went on to say that they would address a press conference at the Afrika Shrine at 1600 on Sunday. The whole Kalakuta Empire was in shock and confusion. nobody volunteered to say anything to anybody. It could be another of those Fela’s shows.’
Sunday August 3 1997
‘At 1530 everybody had gathered at the Shrine to hear what the family had to say. The place was filled to capacity that some fans had to break down the doors so they could enter. At exactly 1600 Professor Olikoye said: ‘Gentlemen of the Press, Fela is no stranger to you. We have suffered a great loss and we thank God for his life and work. A lot has been written about Fela in the last few days. We have very little to add to our previous statement. We however, want to use this opportunity to clarify issues and clear any misconceptions that you may have concerning Fela. He died yesterday in a hospital located in Victoria Island at approximately 5.30pm. The immediate cause of death is heart failure but he had many complications arising from AIDS. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised but as soon as they have been , we will issue a statement to the Press announcing the details. Thank You.’
From the book ‘The Ikoyi Prison Narratives: The Spiritualism and Political Philosophy of #Fela Kuti’

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