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Fayose, Diezani, others lose 214 lands, vehicles, other properties to EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken over 214 landed properties owned by corrupt officials in the last three years.

The anti-graft agency recovered the properties, located in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Oyo states and in different cities across the country,  from over 70 individuals and seven firms.

Herald Nigeria gathered that, while 179 properties were recovered through interim forfeiture court orders, thirty-five of the properties have been finally forfeited to the commission while two, including a hotel belonging to Ima Niboro, former spokesman to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, were returned voluntarily.

It was learnt that a former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke; ex-National Security Adviser, Dasuki Sambo; former minister, Iyorchia Ayu; the late Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.) were among those who lost their properties to the federal government.

Others were former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, ex-Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, Col. Bello Fadile (retd.) and a former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema who had 20 properties under interim forfeiture.

The EFCC recovered three properties, including a seven-storey building under construction in Gudu district, Abuja, belonging to one Emmanuel Ozigi and two others, while six properties located in different parts of Ibadan, Oyo State, were recovered from one Oni Ademola.

Also, five choice properties were recovered from Alison-Madueke; they include a multi-storey building on Banana Island, six flats in Ikoyi and 21 mixed housing in Yaba, Lagos; 16 terrace houses in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and 13 terrace duplexes in Mabushi, Abuja.

There was also a final forfeiture order in respect of buildings in Ikorodu, Agege, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; Cranbel Court, Citiview Estate, Arepo, which were recovered from Jamiu Anifowoshe and forfeited to the Lagos State Government.

Real estate consisting of seven buildings located on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Victoria Garden City, Ikota, Port Harcourt, Lekki and Utako, Abuja, were also recovered from Obasuyi Osasoghie and forfeited to First Bank Plc.

For other recoveries made by the EFCC, the figures for last year include  141 vehicles; 44 bank accounts; one barge; farmland; four filling stations; two hotels and 47 parcels of land which were considered proceeds of crime.

In this year alone, the EFCC had recovered N3.2bn (final forfeiture) from Amosu who paid N2.2bn; Olugbenga Gbadebo, N190.8m; Solomon Enterprise, N101m and Paul Boroh and 16 others, who coughed up N686.7m cash.

Source: Herald Ng.

Cabal reportedly denied access to president as Buhari’s decision on new ministers revealed

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– President Buhari has reportedly chosen to select his new ministers himself – The president instead chose a tough stance in selecting new ministers – A governor confirmed that the president has not approached them nor the party for names. President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly kept the selection of his choices for new ministers for his second term in office to himself. According to The Nation, some members of the inner power circle popularly known as ‘Cabal’ went to London to meet with the president but were denied access based on strict orders from him. READ ALSO: Bandits running away from Zamfara to Kaduna, Kano to escape from Army – Buratai It was reported that unlike his first term in office, the president has not asked governors-elect or chieftains of the All Progressives Congress for names as he has adopted a tough approach this time. A top source said: “It seems the President has realised that there are some unproductive members in his cabinet which he ought to offload. “He is keeping the choice of new ministers to himself alone. “His London itinerary was not only kept to himself until the last minutes, he did not allow close associates, strategists and members of his kitchen cabinet to have access to him in London. “Those who went to London came back empty handed. “Only an outgoing minister was allowed access to the President. And the minister was still in London as at yesterday.

“We do not know what informed this sudden change of attitude, but it seems the President is really determined to live up to his promise to leave sustainable legacies in his second term by looking for the right people to serve in his cabinet.” A top government source also said the president has not approached his inner circle for names. “He did not request for nominations from the APC governors not to talk of receiving any list from them. “Some governors attempted to gauge his mood but he was noncommittal. He only kept quiet and allowed the governors to do the talking. “Both the party and the governors have also respected themselves by not putting pressure on him.” A governor said: “The truth is that we have not been asked by the President to make recommendations on ministerial nominees. “We have tried to be careful too because he does not choose our commissioners for us. “I can say that we are really in the dark like other Nigerians.

“Ironically, some of the outgoing ministers run to governors to influence their retention by the President. “We cannot say whether or not the President will consult us.” Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, May 2, called on President Buhari to end his ‘private visit’ abroad and immediately return home to tackle the deteriorated security situation in the country.

(Legit.ng)

Davido and Chioma spotted holidaying in Mauritius.

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– Nigeria’s favourite couple, Davido and Chioma are having the time of their lives –

Just recently, Chioma clocked 24 and they jetted off to Mauritius to mark it – They both shared photos from their fancy vacation in Mauritius Davido and Chioma keep dishing the ultimate couple goals on social media. Just recently, the couple were spotted vacationing in Mauritius. It appears Chioma is in for a treat as shortly after she clocked 24, herself and her boo jetted off to Mauritius to enjoy the special moment. They both shared photos and video clips of them enjoying themselves in what looked like a private beach house as they celebrate love and friendship which has been going on for close to seven years now. Many fans are definitely counting down to the day the couple will make it official but for now their relationship is sweet.

(Legit.ng)

Actor Yomi Fabiyi visits late Aishat Abimbola’s children in Canada.

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– Yomi Fabiyi stops by Lola Alao’s house in Canada and ceased the opportunity to see late Aisha Abimbola’s children, Lase and Keji – Aisha popularly known as Omoge Campus died of a cancer related ailment in Canada on May 15, 2018 – The custody of her two became a legal battle between her friend Lola Alao and the father of her children Nollywood actor Yomi Fabiyi is out of the country.

The outspoken actor who is away in Canada decided to have a stop over at his colleague Lola Alao’s place to see children left behind by another colleague late Aisha Abimbola who passed away in the country and was buried there. Sharing video and photo taken with Aisha Abimbola popularly known as Omoge Campus’s children, Yomi wrote a caption of his relationship with their late mum before her untimely death. He also remembered Aisha’s friend who died earlier also in Canada, Moji Olaiya. Yomi did not leave out Lola Alao in his caption as he told of how well she is taken care of the children of the late actress. Recall that Lola Alao and the father of the children where embroiled in custody battle. While Lola insisted that the mother of the children before her death granted her the custody of her two children, Lase and Keji. Alao maintained the fact that her deceased bosom friend named her as the next of kin when she was on her sick bed. Alao was reportedly the only one taking care of the ailing actress which made the deceased ask her friend to look after her children if she eventually died.

Source: Legit.ng

“Revolution going on in African Music” – Tiwa Savage.

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Nigerian singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage says there’s a “revolution going on” in African music and she is “very humbled and excited” to take her music to a worldwide audience.

“It’s a beautiful journey, it’s history in the making,” Savage said Thursday of her newly announced recording deal.

Savage is one of the world’s leading Afrobeats artists and the first African artist to sign a global deal with Universal Music Group. It seems, however, she forgot to tell the most important person in her life.

“My mom was, ‘Tiwa! Why didn’t you tell me all along?’ I’m like, ‘Mom, I know you can’t keep a secret.’ But she’s excited. We have a family group chat and she was just like, ‘Tiwa has crashed the internet again today!’ And she put a smiley face. So she’s super, super proud of me.”

The Afrobeats scene is vibrant, she told The Associated Press. Even though international audiences may not understand some of the language “they can feel the soul in the music” and the themes of her songs are universal. “I think a lot of people know me for love, for love stories. Good or bad.”

In November, the 39-year-old became the first woman to win the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African act, which she said was “incredible” and “wasn’t just a win for me . it was a win for the African woman.”

Tiwa, or Tiwatope, was born in Lagos but spent part of her childhood in London with her mother, where she experienced many her early musical influences.

“I started listening to a lot of gospel music . and then I really got into jazz like Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and then I got into soul R & B and I really, really got into Brandi’s voice,” she said. “She’s like my all-time favorite vocalist. Yeah. That was really, really what got me into singing.”

She now takes daily inspiration from her peers both at home and overseas. “Obviously I’m inspired by the Rihanna and Beyonce brand but more so like Wizkid, Davido and Don Jazzy, D’banj, 2face, even from South Africa like Cassper and AKA.”

In December, Savage was chosen by Coldplay’s Chris Martin to perform at Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg. There she met Jay-Z, who she said was “incredible.”

“You know he’s the type of person that walks into a room and everyone’s like, ‘Oh my God. It’s Jay-Z.’ And he has a lot of knowledge and he’s not afraid to pass that on, you know, to every artist that he comes across.”

Despite breaking boundaries, Savage acknowledged that it’s been tough working in a male-dominated industry, “especially as a mom,” but that has also made her work harder.

“I do believe as women we are a lot stronger than what we give ourselves credit for,” she said. “So there’s not anything I can’t handle.”

(The Associated Press)

“Buhari Must Consider South East In Appointments” – APC Youths

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The All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF), a political pressure group, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the South-East for key political appointments in his second term.

The group made the call in a communiqué issued to newsmen at the end of its South-East leadership post-election meeting held on Friday in Enugu, NAN reports.

It stated that “Considering the South-East for major political appointments is the only way to ensure a smooth sail for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.”

The statement further stated that the party had made serious in-roads in the South-East.

“We express our satisfaction that APC remarkably garnered more votes in 2019 than 2015 in the South-East.

“This is because of the numerous projects the Buhari-led administration has embarked on in the zone.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity to plead with our father, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the leadership of APC to give more political appointments to the South-East to prepare the zone for electoral success in 2023.”

The statement congratulated the president and other APC candidates for their victory at the polls.

The communiqué was jointly signed by the South-East Zonal Coordinator of the group and Enugu State Coordinator, Mr Titus Nnamani as well as the Zonal Secretary and Imo Coordinator, Mr Ubah Onyewuchi.

Others are Mr Azuka Nwobu, Anambra State Coordinator; Mr Agu Chibisi, Abia State Coordinator and Mr Edwin Okoro, Ebonyi State Coordinator.

Source: Nigeria Monitor.

“Allow Every Part Of The Country To Police Their Land, Crime Is Cultural” – Afenifere

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Yinka Odumakin, a spokesperson of Afenifere has revealed today that aid Buhari’s next ministers should be picked on the basis of what they can deliver.

He stated that Buhari’s next set of ministers should be those who understand the situation of Nigeria.

According to Odumakin: “Really, I can’t tell the type of men or women Buhari should pick on his next cabinet but those to be picked should be about what contributions and agenda they want to implement as ministers.

“If we are still down with this Miyetti Allah and cattle route thing and you pick the best of Havard and Oxford, we are going nowhere.

“Unless we are ready to start afresh to put Nigeria on the path of development and productivity and if the country is still about Miyetti Allah and cattle routes, no matter who you pick, the country will go under.”

Odumakin also pointed out how to resolve the issue of insecurity across the country.

He said: “We can’t dissolve this issue of insecurity by this fire fighting brigade approach we are doing now. Where the president is in London on a private visit the IGP is running up and down, in Birnin Kebbi today and before he gets to Kaduna he has forgotten what happened in Birnin Kebbi. With all these, we are going nowhere.

“There is no way you can police Nigeria from Abuja and still get results. First of all, you must delegate power, allow every part of the country to police their land, crime is cultural.

“You can’t pick a policeman in Oyo State now to go and fight bandits in Zamfara even if he sits among bandits he may not understand what they are saying, he does not know the route around in the area as such effect police should be at the state units.

“Secondly, we must go back to productivity, who ever knew there was a large deposit of gold in Zamfara State that they are fighting over now. We must make every part of Nigeria a reproductive centre, move away from oil and gas. When this is done millions of young people will go back to work.

“The more youths are engaged legally, the lesser the number of those taking up banditry. So, as we are dealing with law and order we are also dealing with economic activities. Those engaged in crime are those who are unemployed. Unless we fix this country, it’s going under.”

Source: Nigerian Monitor.

Insecurity: Celebrities lead solidarity walk for end to Banditry, kidnappings in North West.

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Veteran Nollywood actor, Larry Koldsweat, on Friday led other Nigerian celebrities in a solidarity walk to call for an end to banditry and kidnappings in north western part of the country.

The celebrities under the auspices of Human Rights Monitoring Group, called on the world to take notice that high ranking politicians are behind the resurgence of killings in the north-west.

Addressing the well-attended rally, which held from the Unity Fountain to the presidential villa, Abuja, Koldsweat urged Nigerians to rise up against politicians that are sponsoring these killings all over Zamfara State with a firm demand that they stop it now.

“We are gathered here today as patriotic Nigerians who do not want to be complicit in an injustice being perpetrated against other Nigerian. Our march is about not being complicit by remaining silent in the face of grievous harm being done to our compatriots in several states of the country. What the perpetrators of this crime are banking on is that they have gotten away with their evil in some places and they can therefore spread their deadly merchandise to other parts of the country.

We speak to the killings in Zamafara and its environs. Those facilitating these killings began by making us initially think it was a case of petty crime gone wrong. It later became cattle rustlers killing victims to steal cow. Then we began hearing of armed bandits. Even their armed bandits have later been discovered to be militias that were unleashing violence as a smokescreen while the mineral resources, gold, in Zamfara state was being mined by the tonnes while the environment is degraded beyond comprehension and the citizens deprived of their livelihood.
Our shock as a nation upon finding out about this pillaging of Zamfara and neighboring communities should have been a red card for the people benefiting from this evil to call it quits and scamper away like the criminals that they are. But this is not the case. These people have resolved to dare our collective will as a people and to test the capacity of Nigeria to respond to their felonious activities with the powers of a sovereign state,” he said.

 

Zainab Aliyu could have faced the death penalty if convicted.

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A Nigerian student whose arrest for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia sparked protests has been freed and the charges against her dropped.

Zainab Aliyu could have faced the death penalty if convicted.  Her sister, Hajara Habibu Aliyu, told the BBC that the bag containing the drugs was tagged in Zainab’s name without her knowledge at the airport in Kano before departing for Saudi Arabia.

 

 

 

 

Source: BBC News

https://youtu.be/JnLeNdsCEX0

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