Ecobank Mobile Banking App: How To Install And Use The MobileMoney App Platform
The Ecobank Mobile app was build based on popular demand as the world of IT is a global village. The Ecobank MobileMoney allows you to do all your money and mobile Banking Transactions in one place on your phone. It integrates the services into a new, more easy-to-use e-wallet on your phone. It is currently available in Nigeria and Kenya, where it replaces Ecobank MobileMoney and Ecobank Mobile Banking.
What Transactions Can Be Performed On Ecobank Mobile App
Please see below some transactions you can perform on the Ecobank Mobile Banking App.
You can Make account deposits
Do account-based payments/Transactions.
Pay regular bills and tolls, e.g. LLC
Make balance enquiries
See mini account statements
Send money transfers
Buy travel tickets
HOW TO ACTIVATE YOUR APP
For first-time Mobile Banking customers
If you’re a new Ecobank Mobile user:
Download the app and click on New User to register
Once registered, you’ll receive an SMS with a one-time 6 digit PIN
Log-in to the app with the 6-digit PIN
Change the PIN to a new 6-digit PIN of your choice
To access your bank account on the app, visit any Ecobank branch and fill in an activation form
READ ALSO- PayWithCapture By Access Bank Mobile: How To Setup And Use The Web & Mobile App Platform
FOR EXISTING MOBILE CUSTOMERS
How to download your new mobile app:
Go to the app store on your mobile device (Nokia App store, Google Play,
Blackberry App World and Apple App Store)
Type Ecobank Mobile, find the app, then click Install
Once the app is installed, exit the app store
To launch the app, click on the Ecobank Mobile icon on your mobile phone
To verify your mobile device, dial *326# using your registered number and perform a PIN change
Log-in to the app and start banking
MobileMoney from Ecobank lets you send and receive money, make payments and buy airtime. It’s a clever electronic wallet that lives on your phone and links your mobile quickly and safely to all your banking transactions.
Key Features Of Ecobank MobileMoney
Deposit and withdraw money
Send money to friends and family for them to redeem at our agents
Receive money
Purchase airtime
Pay for bills, goods and services
Check your account
Agents and small businesses can make collections electronically
How To Register For Free with country codes
To Register on the Mobile Money platform, follow the steps below.
Step1. Dial *326# on your mobile device.
Step2. Enter your option number.
The remaining steps are easy to pull through.
Note that this service is only open to Customers using Glo, Airtel and Etisalat Mobile Network Subscribers.
You can reach the Ecobank Customer Careline here in case of any irregularity.
T: 08003262265 (0800 ECOBANK)
E: Engcontactcentre@ecobank.com
Saturday, 30 December 2017
Thursday, 24 August 2017
Herdsmen rape 72-year-old woman
Herdsmen rape 72-year-old woman
Peter Dada, Akure
A woman identified only as Victoria has been allegedly raped by some suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ore, in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Speaking on her ordeal in the hands of the rapists, the septuagenarian explained that she was working on her farm when the two herdsmen attacked her.
“Before I could question them on their mission in my farm, they gagged me and tore my clothes. They raped me one after the other. They threatened to kill me if I made any noise and left me on the farm after injuring me,” she added.
Youths and farmers across the 18 local government areas of the state on Wednesday protested against the incident.
The protesters threatened to take the law into their own hands if the state government and security agencies failed to address the issue urgently.
The coordinator of the group, Mr. Oluwatuyi Adekanmbi, said herdsmen had constituted themselves into terror in Ondo State by perpetrating different crimes, including rape, destruction of farms, killing, as well as kidnapping.He called on the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Ondo State House of Assembly to enact a law that would effectively protect farmers, their wives and their farmland.
He said “One of our farmers, Orimisan Omowole, was murdered on his farm in the Odigbo area. After killing him, they took out his heart and placed it on his chest.
“We are not against cattle rearing, but we don’t want free grazing on our farmland and at our expense with wanton destruction of our means of livelihood.”
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Inspector kills police superintendent over money, commits suicide
Cop shoots man for picking stolen money
Etim Ekpimah and Peter Dada
A policeman, Abraham Arowogun, attached to the Kajola Police Station, Kajola town, in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has committed suicide by jumping into a deep well in the station.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, was mysterious to other police officers in the division as well as members of the community. A police source told PUNCH Metro that Arowogun did not have any history of mental instability.
According to the source, the deceased inspector had first shot dead the Divisional Crime Office, SP Timothy Aruehi, after they had a disagreement over money.
Our correspondent gathered that Aruehi had received a complaint that Arowogun, while investigating a case, diverted a sum of money to private use.
The source said, “Arowogun was investigating a case and the DCO discovered that a sum of N150,000 was involved. He further discovered that he (Arowogun) had actually converted the money to private use.
“The DCO called and querried him for the action.
“In the course of interrogating him, he stormed out angrily. He returned with a gun which he used to shoot Arowogun dead.”
The police source added that after killing the DCO, there was confusion in the station as other officers fled for safety.
“After killing the DCO, he knew that what he did was unprofessional and unpardonable in the police force. He just left the scene and jumped into the well at the back of the station,” the source added.
The corpses of the two policemen were said to have been deposited in a mortuary in the Ondo State General Hospital, Ore.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation had commenced.
“It was an unfortunate incident; but we have begun investigation. The command is very saddened and our hearts are heavy. We are doing everything possible to dig further into the matter and talk to our officers and men to avert a recurrence,” the PPRO said.
In a related development, the police in Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday shot a resident for allegedly picking stolen money which dropped along Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.
Our correspondent gathered that a three-man gang had snatched the money from occupants of a government-owned car .
The gang was reportedly moving the money into a getaway vehicle seized from a female motorist, when some of the cash fell on the road.
A witness, Mr. Joe Inyang, said, “The people who owned the money were in a Toyota Camry with a government number plate, AK 705 C01. They appeared to be coming from one of the new generation banks, where they withdrew the huge amount.
“As their driver was going through Paul Bassey Street, he noticed the robbers, who were in a Toyota Corolla. They were on his trail.
“As he tried to link Brooks Street, he rammed the vehicle into an oncoming Toyota Camry. It was then that the robbers blocked access to the government car.
“At that point, the robbers seized the vehicle and started shooting continously into the air. They shattered the boot and doors of the car with bullets to get access to the money, which was in Ghana-Must-Go bags.
“It was in the process of moving the money into another vehicle they seized from a woman that some residents scrambled for the fallen cash. The man the police shot rushed out of his office to pick the cash which littered the road.”
The woman whose car was used as a getaway by the robbers; the man who sustained gunshot injuries; and the driver and other occupants of the government vehicle, were seen by our correspondent at the ‘A Division’ of the state police command on Wednesday.
A resident, who did not want his name in print, told PUNCH Metro that the robbery could not have occurred without the involvement of people in government or the bank, adding that the money could not be less than N50m.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mu’azu Zubairu, did not answer calls that were put across to his telephone. He did not also respond to a text message sent to his line.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chukwu Ikechukwu, when contacted, said he was not in the state.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Wednesday, 23 August 2017
Jonathan ignores Reps'
$1.1bn Malabu oil deal: 48 days after, Jonathan ignores Reps’ invitation

John Ameh, Abuja
Forty-eight days after he was invited to testifyin the investigations into the controversial sale of Oil Prospecting Licence 245, former President Goodluck Jonathan has yet to reply the House of Representatives, The PUNCHlearnt on Wednesday.
Better known as $1.1bn Malabu Oil deal, an ad hoc committee of the House has been investigating the alleged “diversion” of the money, which was the Federal Government’s share of the deal.
The committee is chaired by a member of the All Progressives Congress from Kwara State, Mr. Razak Atunwa.
Malabu: Some people are threatened by my international profile, says Jonathan
The panel had invited Jonathan on July 5 after it said evidence in the line of the investigations indicated that the former President had issues to clarify.
But, as of Wednesday (yesterday), checks at the committee showed that Jonathan had not responded to any enquiries by the committee.
Findings revealed that though the committee had written him to either appear or respond to questions by submitting documents, Jonathan had yet to reply the panel.
Atunwa confirmed the development when The PUNCH sought his comments on Wednesday.
He said, “Yes, we invited the former President already. The committee wrote him a letter, but he has not responded. He has not sent in any replies. We are still waiting for him.”
When asked what the committee would do next since Jonathan had not replied after 48 days of the committee forwarding a letter to him, Atunwa replied that a decision would be taken after September 19.
The National Assembly is on annual vacation till September 19.
“When we resume, we will review the situation and decide on the next line of action,” he added.
In making the panel’s decision to invite Jonathan in July, Atunwa had stated that certain information in the public domain had made the need to hear from the former President necessary, before the probe could be considered conclusive.
He explained that hearing from Jonathan was also an indication that “thoroughness, natural justice and fair play” was applied to the investigation.
Malabu deal: Reps should compel Jonathan’s appearance, says MEND
Atunwa gave the grounds for inviting the former President, “Mr. Jonathan was the President at the material time that (his cabinet) ministers brokered the deal that led to the allegation of $1bn diversion of funds.
“Mr. Jonathan’s name features in the proceedings initiated by the Public Prosecutor of Milan in Italy. A United Kingdom court judgment in relation to an application to return part of the money being restrained, castigated the Jonathan administration as not having acted in the best interest of Nigeria in relation to the ‘deal.’
“The Attorney General of the Federation at the material time, Mohammed Bello-Adoke, has recently instituted proceedings in court wherein he pleads that all his actions were as instructed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of the (1999) Constitution, the committee has decided to request that former President Goodluck Jonathan give evidence as to his role in the matter.”
When Atunwa was asked in July whether the invitation meant that Jonathan would come personally before the committee or the committee would meet him at a location chosen by the former President, Atunwa replied that what was most important was to write to him.
“There are parliamentary procedures, so we don’t jump the gun.What we have said here is to ask for his response. When he responds, that is when we go further.
“At this material point, we have invited him and that is where the case will rest for now.” he added.
He spoke 48 days ago at the National Assembly in Abuja.
$1.3bn Malabu scam: Jonathan may have received $200m, says report
The House had first investigated the deal in the 7th Assembly (2011-2015), but not satisfied with the outcome of the probe, the current 8th House revisited it.
This second phase of the probe was launched in October 2016 with the committee taking representations from Shell, Agip and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It also received the submissions of the current AGF, Mr. Abubakar Malami, among others.
However, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources under the Jonathan administration, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, and Bello-Adoke, reportedly shunned the panel.
According to the House, OPL 245 occupies an area of 1,958 square kilometres and holds up to “9.2 billion” barrels of crude oil.
Recalling how the deal started, the committee said Chief Dan Etete, a former minister under the administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, awarded the block to himself in 1998, using Malabu Oil and Gas.
“He awarded it to himself for just $20m, out of which he paid only $2m,” the committee stated.
It added that former President Olusegun Obasanjo revoked the block, but it was later sold to Shell at $210m, a development, which sparked off a series of legal tussles.
The committee recalled that while Malabu was still in court, Bello-Adoke and Alison-Madueke were alleged to have “contrived a series of complex agreements of a questionable nature.
$1.1bn Malabu scam: Adoke, others face extradition
“The summary of the agreement was that Shell and Nigeria Agip Exploration paid $1.1bn to the Federal Government for the oil block.”
However, instead of paying the money into the Federation Account, the committee stated that Bello-Adoke and Alison-Madueke “caused the money to be transferred to Malabu, which then spirited the money to various foreign bank accounts.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]

John Ameh, Abuja
Forty-eight days after he was invited to testifyin the investigations into the controversial sale of Oil Prospecting Licence 245, former President Goodluck Jonathan has yet to reply the House of Representatives, The PUNCHlearnt on Wednesday.
Better known as $1.1bn Malabu Oil deal, an ad hoc committee of the House has been investigating the alleged “diversion” of the money, which was the Federal Government’s share of the deal.
The committee is chaired by a member of the All Progressives Congress from Kwara State, Mr. Razak Atunwa.
Malabu: Some people are threatened by my international profile, says Jonathan
The panel had invited Jonathan on July 5 after it said evidence in the line of the investigations indicated that the former President had issues to clarify.
But, as of Wednesday (yesterday), checks at the committee showed that Jonathan had not responded to any enquiries by the committee.
Findings revealed that though the committee had written him to either appear or respond to questions by submitting documents, Jonathan had yet to reply the panel.
Atunwa confirmed the development when The PUNCH sought his comments on Wednesday.
He said, “Yes, we invited the former President already. The committee wrote him a letter, but he has not responded. He has not sent in any replies. We are still waiting for him.”
When asked what the committee would do next since Jonathan had not replied after 48 days of the committee forwarding a letter to him, Atunwa replied that a decision would be taken after September 19.
The National Assembly is on annual vacation till September 19.
“When we resume, we will review the situation and decide on the next line of action,” he added.
In making the panel’s decision to invite Jonathan in July, Atunwa had stated that certain information in the public domain had made the need to hear from the former President necessary, before the probe could be considered conclusive.
He explained that hearing from Jonathan was also an indication that “thoroughness, natural justice and fair play” was applied to the investigation.
Malabu deal: Reps should compel Jonathan’s appearance, says MEND
Atunwa gave the grounds for inviting the former President, “Mr. Jonathan was the President at the material time that (his cabinet) ministers brokered the deal that led to the allegation of $1bn diversion of funds.
“Mr. Jonathan’s name features in the proceedings initiated by the Public Prosecutor of Milan in Italy. A United Kingdom court judgment in relation to an application to return part of the money being restrained, castigated the Jonathan administration as not having acted in the best interest of Nigeria in relation to the ‘deal.’
“The Attorney General of the Federation at the material time, Mohammed Bello-Adoke, has recently instituted proceedings in court wherein he pleads that all his actions were as instructed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of the (1999) Constitution, the committee has decided to request that former President Goodluck Jonathan give evidence as to his role in the matter.”
When Atunwa was asked in July whether the invitation meant that Jonathan would come personally before the committee or the committee would meet him at a location chosen by the former President, Atunwa replied that what was most important was to write to him.
“There are parliamentary procedures, so we don’t jump the gun.What we have said here is to ask for his response. When he responds, that is when we go further.
“At this material point, we have invited him and that is where the case will rest for now.” he added.
He spoke 48 days ago at the National Assembly in Abuja.
$1.3bn Malabu scam: Jonathan may have received $200m, says report
The House had first investigated the deal in the 7th Assembly (2011-2015), but not satisfied with the outcome of the probe, the current 8th House revisited it.
This second phase of the probe was launched in October 2016 with the committee taking representations from Shell, Agip and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It also received the submissions of the current AGF, Mr. Abubakar Malami, among others.
However, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources under the Jonathan administration, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, and Bello-Adoke, reportedly shunned the panel.
According to the House, OPL 245 occupies an area of 1,958 square kilometres and holds up to “9.2 billion” barrels of crude oil.
Recalling how the deal started, the committee said Chief Dan Etete, a former minister under the administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, awarded the block to himself in 1998, using Malabu Oil and Gas.
“He awarded it to himself for just $20m, out of which he paid only $2m,” the committee stated.
It added that former President Olusegun Obasanjo revoked the block, but it was later sold to Shell at $210m, a development, which sparked off a series of legal tussles.
The committee recalled that while Malabu was still in court, Bello-Adoke and Alison-Madueke were alleged to have “contrived a series of complex agreements of a questionable nature.
$1.1bn Malabu scam: Adoke, others face extradition
“The summary of the agreement was that Shell and Nigeria Agip Exploration paid $1.1bn to the Federal Government for the oil block.”
However, instead of paying the money into the Federation Account, the committee stated that Bello-Adoke and Alison-Madueke “caused the money to be transferred to Malabu, which then spirited the money to various foreign bank accounts.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
Military monitoring social media for hate speech – Enenche
Dreamers2202/ Tuesday, 23-08-17

Social media is no longer a hiding place for hate speech, anti-government and anti-security in Nigeria as the platforms are now being monitored for information by the military.
Director of Defence Information, Major-General John Enenche, made the revelation onChannels Television’s News at 10 on Wednesday, saying the move became necessary in the light of troubling activities and misinformation capable of jeopardizing the unity of the country.
Enenche made the comment less than 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari said, in his national broadcast, that some of the discussion on social media in his absence crossed the line and left him distressed.
Enenche held that the social media has always been a challenge all over the world and for the military, it is no different.
“It is a double-edged sword and we are also having a bit of it,” he said.
“Imagine when the President came back and addressed the nation, not up to 30 minutes later, a fake speech of the Commander-In-Chief was being circulated in order to do what? To derail the people. If you are not very sharp and if you didn’t listen to the speech or you don’t have a copy of it like I had it almost immediately, you wouldn’t know. So, looking at it from that perspective, it is a challenge everywhere.”
“What are we doing? In the military, we are now taking on it more seriously than ever. We have our strategic media centres that monitor the social media to be able to sieve out and react to all the ones that will be anti-government, be anti-military, (and) be anti-security,” the military chief continued.
“We tackle them appropriately with appropriate responses. Ahead of that, we are also proactive. We have measures in place, scientific measures to be able to sieve this information and also to get the public and let them know that some of this information they are getting is not genuine are not true and their objective is an anti-corporate existence of this country.”
(BREAKING) SGF/NIA boss: Osinbajo submits probe report to Buhari
Dreamers2202/ Tuesday, 23-08-17

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday submitted the report of the committee that investigated the allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.
The committee which had the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, as members was initially billed to submit its report to Buhari on May 8 but could not do so because the President left the country on May 7 for medical follow-up in London.
Speaking to State House correspondents after submitting the report, Osinbajo said he would not divulge the details of the report.
He said the ball was now in the President’s court to study the report and take decisions based on the recommendations.
When asked whether he would disclose a brief of what is contained in the report, Osinbajo said, “Of course not. This is a report which contains recommendations to the President.
“It is a fact-finding committee as you know and what our terms of reference were was to find out based on the fact available to us and based on the interviews of witnesses of what transpired in those cases, one involving the SGF and the other the DG of NIA.
“We have now concluded that and we submitted a full report with recommendations to the President.
“We cannot, of course, give you any kind of details because the President has to look at the report, study it and then make his own decisions based on that report.”
Osinbajo said members of the committee were fair-minded and the approach adopted was to ensure that justice was done in all cases.
He said it was in the interest of the government and the nation that things were done properly with the due process followed.
He assured all stakeholders that the right thing would be done in the two cases.
When asked how soon should Nigerians be expecting the President’s decision on the report, the Vice President said, “All I can say now is that we have submitted the report to the President and it is a very detailed report as a matter of fact. The President has to study the report and make decisions.
When again asked to give an insight into the report, Osinbajo said, “Of course? I cannot. How can I? This is a document which has just been submitted to the President. He is the one who will read the recommendations and the facts and then make a decision.”
On whether heads will roll based on the report, the Vice President said, “No, how can I tell you? If you want to know what is in the report, you have to wait. You really have to wait.”
Present at the brief ceremony where Osinbajo presented the report to the President were the two other members of the committee and the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.
The President had on April 19 suspended Lawal and Oke and constituted a three-man committee led by Osinbajo to investigate them.
The panel investigated allegations of violations of law and due process made against Lawal in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East while it probed Oke on the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, for which NIA is laying claim.
South-East senators meet Kanu, call for caution
Dreamers2202/ Tuesday, 23-08-17

Leke Baiyewu, Abuja
The South East Caucus in the Senate has met with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, members of the secession group over what it termed as the rising tension in the country.
Chairman of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia-South), in a statement on Wednesday, said the meeting was held in his Ohuru, Obingwa country home in Abia State on Tuesday.
The statement quoted Abaribe as telling journalists after the meeting that IPOB and other agitators in the country should let their actions conform with Nigeria’s laws and avoid any form of violence and abuse the rights of other Nigerians.
The lawmaker said while the consensus was to have unity and a peaceful Nigeria where equity and fairness were entrenched and no group or region is treated as second class citizens, the caucus would always support and work for a united Nigeria.
Abaribe added that the caucus demanded a total restructuring of the country and devolution of powers in such a manner that would assuage the feeling of despondency, injustice and near rejection within the Nigerian state, “which to us is the way to go.”
He said, “I thank Kanu for assuring (the caucus) to conduct his members in a peaceful manner and within the ambits of the law. This engagement is a continuous process that will lead us to find a lasting solution to whatever grievances that necessitated the agitations in Nigeria.
“The caucus will accordingly meet as soon as we resume from recess to continue the engagement for the good of our people and our dear country. All of us desire equality, equity, fairness in a peaceful and united Nigeria.”
The IPOB leader was quoted as assuring the lawmakers that his group would remain non-violent in its agitation.
Kanu, however, insisted that the group remained resolute in its demand for a fair and just society which, according to him, is the spirit behind the agitation for Biafra through a referendum.
“We are not afraid in our quest. What I promise my elder brother (Abaribe) is that we shall never fail them by resorting to violence. We can’t and it has never been our approach,” he said.
Dreamers2202/ Tuesday, 23-08-17

Social media is no longer a hiding place for hate speech, anti-government and anti-security in Nigeria as the platforms are now being monitored for information by the military.
Director of Defence Information, Major-General John Enenche, made the revelation onChannels Television’s News at 10 on Wednesday, saying the move became necessary in the light of troubling activities and misinformation capable of jeopardizing the unity of the country.
Enenche made the comment less than 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari said, in his national broadcast, that some of the discussion on social media in his absence crossed the line and left him distressed.
Enenche held that the social media has always been a challenge all over the world and for the military, it is no different.
“It is a double-edged sword and we are also having a bit of it,” he said.
“Imagine when the President came back and addressed the nation, not up to 30 minutes later, a fake speech of the Commander-In-Chief was being circulated in order to do what? To derail the people. If you are not very sharp and if you didn’t listen to the speech or you don’t have a copy of it like I had it almost immediately, you wouldn’t know. So, looking at it from that perspective, it is a challenge everywhere.”
“What are we doing? In the military, we are now taking on it more seriously than ever. We have our strategic media centres that monitor the social media to be able to sieve out and react to all the ones that will be anti-government, be anti-military, (and) be anti-security,” the military chief continued.
“We tackle them appropriately with appropriate responses. Ahead of that, we are also proactive. We have measures in place, scientific measures to be able to sieve this information and also to get the public and let them know that some of this information they are getting is not genuine are not true and their objective is an anti-corporate existence of this country.”
(BREAKING) SGF/NIA boss: Osinbajo submits probe report to Buhari
Dreamers2202/ Tuesday, 23-08-17

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday submitted the report of the committee that investigated the allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.
The committee which had the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, as members was initially billed to submit its report to Buhari on May 8 but could not do so because the President left the country on May 7 for medical follow-up in London.
Speaking to State House correspondents after submitting the report, Osinbajo said he would not divulge the details of the report.
He said the ball was now in the President’s court to study the report and take decisions based on the recommendations.
When asked whether he would disclose a brief of what is contained in the report, Osinbajo said, “Of course not. This is a report which contains recommendations to the President.
“It is a fact-finding committee as you know and what our terms of reference were was to find out based on the fact available to us and based on the interviews of witnesses of what transpired in those cases, one involving the SGF and the other the DG of NIA.
“We have now concluded that and we submitted a full report with recommendations to the President.
“We cannot, of course, give you any kind of details because the President has to look at the report, study it and then make his own decisions based on that report.”
Osinbajo said members of the committee were fair-minded and the approach adopted was to ensure that justice was done in all cases.
He said it was in the interest of the government and the nation that things were done properly with the due process followed.
He assured all stakeholders that the right thing would be done in the two cases.
When asked how soon should Nigerians be expecting the President’s decision on the report, the Vice President said, “All I can say now is that we have submitted the report to the President and it is a very detailed report as a matter of fact. The President has to study the report and make decisions.
When again asked to give an insight into the report, Osinbajo said, “Of course? I cannot. How can I? This is a document which has just been submitted to the President. He is the one who will read the recommendations and the facts and then make a decision.”
On whether heads will roll based on the report, the Vice President said, “No, how can I tell you? If you want to know what is in the report, you have to wait. You really have to wait.”
Present at the brief ceremony where Osinbajo presented the report to the President were the two other members of the committee and the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.
The President had on April 19 suspended Lawal and Oke and constituted a three-man committee led by Osinbajo to investigate them.
The panel investigated allegations of violations of law and due process made against Lawal in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East while it probed Oke on the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, for which NIA is laying claim.
South-East senators meet Kanu, call for caution
Dreamers2202/ Tuesday, 23-08-17

Leke Baiyewu, Abuja
The South East Caucus in the Senate has met with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, members of the secession group over what it termed as the rising tension in the country.
Chairman of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia-South), in a statement on Wednesday, said the meeting was held in his Ohuru, Obingwa country home in Abia State on Tuesday.
The statement quoted Abaribe as telling journalists after the meeting that IPOB and other agitators in the country should let their actions conform with Nigeria’s laws and avoid any form of violence and abuse the rights of other Nigerians.
The lawmaker said while the consensus was to have unity and a peaceful Nigeria where equity and fairness were entrenched and no group or region is treated as second class citizens, the caucus would always support and work for a united Nigeria.
Abaribe added that the caucus demanded a total restructuring of the country and devolution of powers in such a manner that would assuage the feeling of despondency, injustice and near rejection within the Nigerian state, “which to us is the way to go.”
He said, “I thank Kanu for assuring (the caucus) to conduct his members in a peaceful manner and within the ambits of the law. This engagement is a continuous process that will lead us to find a lasting solution to whatever grievances that necessitated the agitations in Nigeria.
“The caucus will accordingly meet as soon as we resume from recess to continue the engagement for the good of our people and our dear country. All of us desire equality, equity, fairness in a peaceful and united Nigeria.”
The IPOB leader was quoted as assuring the lawmakers that his group would remain non-violent in its agitation.
Kanu, however, insisted that the group remained resolute in its demand for a fair and just society which, according to him, is the spirit behind the agitation for Biafra through a referendum.
“We are not afraid in our quest. What I promise my elder brother (Abaribe) is that we shall never fail them by resorting to violence. We can’t and it has never been our approach,” he said.
Tuesday, 22 August 2017
We no longer issue visas to Nigerians – Netherlands Embassy
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, on Tuesday, reminded Nigerians that it was no longer in the business of issuing them visas.
The Embassy’s Charge d’ Affaires, Mr Michel Deleen, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the Embassy had since 2013 swapped its visa issuance processes in Nigeria.
Deleen said that the Embassy had since 2013 swapped its visas issuance to Nigerians with the French Consulate General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.
“Let me remind Nigerians that since 2013, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria had signed agreements with the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.
“What this means is that we have swapped our visa application processes in Nigeria with the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.
“Let me remind Nigerians that under these agreements, any Nigerian that wants to visit the Netherlands for business, study or tourism should always process their visa applications through the French Consulate-General
in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja,’’ he said.
in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja,’’ he said.
Deleen also enjoined Nigerians to always apply for visas to the Netherlands, through VFS Global to the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.
The Charge d’ Affaires said that it was important for Nigerians and other nationals in Nigeria to know that VFS Global was the internationally-authorized organisation for receiving all visa applications.
“Let me also advise anyone seeking visas to the Netherlands through the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja, to always first apply through VFS Global.
“When you first apply to VFS Global for visas to the Netherlands, VFS Global would thereafter send them to the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja for processing,’’ he said.
VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide.
The company manages administrative and non-judgmental tasks related to visas, passports, identity management and other citizen services for its client governments.(NAN)
NAN
Today news
Court orders forfeiture of 56 houses linked to Diezani
Dreamers2202/today

Oladimeji Ramon
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the temporary forfeiture of 56 houses linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The houses, located in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, were said to have been acquired by the ex-minister between 2011 and 2013 using front companies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed that Diezani paid $21,982,224 for the properties, adding that it believed that the funds were proceeds of crime.
The anti-graft agency listed the properties to include 29 terraced houses comprising eight four-bedroomed penthouse apartments, six three-bedroomed apartments, two three-bedroomed maisonettes, two twin bedroomed apartments and one four-bedroom apartment.
The houses, located at No. 7, Thurnbull Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, were allegedly bought by Diezani for the United States dollar equivalent of N937,000,000 through Chapel Properties Ltd.
Others seized houses are 16 four-bedroomed terraced houses in Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu, Government Residential Area (GRA) Phase 1 extension, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, purchased for N928,000,000 through Blue Nile Estate Ltd.
The properties also include 13 three-bedroomed terraced houses with one-room maid’s quarters ensuite for N650,000,000 through Azinga Meadows Ltd.
In an ex parte application brought before Justice Abdulaziz Anka on Tuesday by its counsel, Mr. Anselem Ozioko, the EFCC urged the judge to order the temporary forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.
The judge granted the temporary forfeiture order and directed that a firm should be appointed to manage the properties.
He also ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper and adjourned till September 8, 2017 for any party interested in the property to appear before the court to state why the temporary forfeiture order should not be made permanent.
Listed as first to sixth respondents in the suit are Diezani, Donald Amamgbo, and four firms – Chapel Properties Limited; Blue Nile Estate Limited; Azinga Meadows Limited; and Vistapoint Property Development Limited.
Ozioko told the court that Diezani used the companies as fronts for the acquisition of the properties, adding that the anti-graft agency had discovered 14 other firms incorporated for the ex-minister for the purpose of holding the titles to those properties.
Diezani, he added, purchased the properties from the proceeds of suspected unlawful activity during her tenure as minister.
In an affidavit filed in support of the ex parte application, an EFCC investigator, Mr. Sombori Mayana, said the EFCC got winds of the properties in 2016 following the execution of a search warrant on the office and premises of Amamgbo, said be Diezani’s acquaintance.
The investigator averred, “Among the documents recovered from the office of Mr.Donald Chidi Amamgbo was an undated report titled ‘HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY EOTK PRODUCT – AUGUST REPORT’
“The report contained a list of 18 companies and several properties located in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the United States of America.
“During the course of his interview, Mr. Donald Amamgbo told us that he registered the 18 companies to assist Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke in holding titles of the properties.”
Mayana averred that a principal manager and head, business development of FBN Mortgages Ltd, Mrs. Bolanle Onotu, confirmed that the properties were sold by her organisation to Diezani’s alleged four proxy firms for N937m, N928m and N650m and received payment through First Bank account numbers 2004483850 and 2008133531 between September 23, 2011, and June 16, 2015.
“First Bank of Nigeria Plc stated that the source of the money was from Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and that the bank picked up United States dollars from her house at 10, Frederick Chiluba Close off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja,” Mayana added.
He said a total of $16,041,906 was picked up by the bank at Diezani’s house between September 29, 2011, and April 4, 2013, and converted to Naira.
According to Mayana, another firm, Adebern Parks Nigeria Ltd received N802,500,000 in its Zenith Bank account from an Ecobank account for the purchase of some of the properties.
One Mr Adeyemi Edun “received the sum of N840,000,000 from Skye Bank Plc which on his instruction transferred the sum of N805,000,000 to his Eco Bank account from where he paid Adebern Parks for the property.”
$823m Abuja metro rail ready by December – Contractor
Dreamers2202/today

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja
Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has said that the phase one of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit projects would be ready by December 2017.
The Project Manager, Mr Kong Tao, stated this while speaking with newsmen who were on tour to the site at Idu, Abuja on Tuesday.
Tao said that the rail transit which cost $823m, (about N299bn) consists of lot 1A and lot 3 covering a length of 45km with 12 designed passenger stations.
He said, “The rail linked the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to the Central Business District.
“The line of the rail mass transit is double-track line of right side running, and standard-gauge is 1435mm; Work on the large scale project is going on smoothly.”
According to him it will be test-run by November and will be inaugurated for public use in December.
He said that the project, after completion, would generate employment and boost the commercial activities of the host communities.
Tao said, “Abuja rail mass transit project is bound to accelerate the growth of national economy.
”The realisation of this large scale project will definitely deliver many benefits to the general public, such as better investment environment,
”It will also enhance better living condition, more employment, land value enhancement, energy saving and greater social responsibility.”
He expressed concern on the vandalism of the rail facilities and equipment of the company.
“Despite the presence of security personnel thieves still operate on a weekly basis,” he said.
He lamented that the host communities often destroyed the perimeter fencing built to prevent trespassing on the rail track.
Lagos to commence Eid-Kabir sales of Lake Rice
The Lagos State Government is set to commence sales of Lake Rice from Thursday 24th August 2017 in various centers across the State to ensure there is adequate supply for Muslim faithful during the forthcoming Eid-Kabir celebration.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, who disclosed today at Alausa, Ikeja, stated that present administration, has since inception, embarked on agricultural policies and programs that will enhance the availability of food in the State and will always remain committed to ensuring food sufficiency.
He added that the present administration will continue to ensure adequate production and a fair distribution of the rice across the State as it will be made available to the masses in the various accredited centers.
The Commissioner stated further that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has approved the distribution and sales of Lake rice in all the 57 Local Government Authorities and Local Council Development Authorities across the State, the Agricultural Development Area Complex Oko-oba Agege, LTV Blue Roof Complex Agidingbi, Ikeja, and other designated centers in Lagos.
He maintained that the prices for the different sizes remain the same: a 50kg bag of Lake Rice will sell for N12,000; 25kg for N6,000, and 10kg for N2,500, noting that the rice is for all Lagosians irrespective of religion or tribe.
Dreamers2202/today

Oladimeji Ramon
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the temporary forfeiture of 56 houses linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The houses, located in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, were said to have been acquired by the ex-minister between 2011 and 2013 using front companies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed that Diezani paid $21,982,224 for the properties, adding that it believed that the funds were proceeds of crime.
The anti-graft agency listed the properties to include 29 terraced houses comprising eight four-bedroomed penthouse apartments, six three-bedroomed apartments, two three-bedroomed maisonettes, two twin bedroomed apartments and one four-bedroom apartment.
The houses, located at No. 7, Thurnbull Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, were allegedly bought by Diezani for the United States dollar equivalent of N937,000,000 through Chapel Properties Ltd.
Others seized houses are 16 four-bedroomed terraced houses in Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu, Government Residential Area (GRA) Phase 1 extension, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, purchased for N928,000,000 through Blue Nile Estate Ltd.
The properties also include 13 three-bedroomed terraced houses with one-room maid’s quarters ensuite for N650,000,000 through Azinga Meadows Ltd.
In an ex parte application brought before Justice Abdulaziz Anka on Tuesday by its counsel, Mr. Anselem Ozioko, the EFCC urged the judge to order the temporary forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.
The judge granted the temporary forfeiture order and directed that a firm should be appointed to manage the properties.
He also ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper and adjourned till September 8, 2017 for any party interested in the property to appear before the court to state why the temporary forfeiture order should not be made permanent.
Listed as first to sixth respondents in the suit are Diezani, Donald Amamgbo, and four firms – Chapel Properties Limited; Blue Nile Estate Limited; Azinga Meadows Limited; and Vistapoint Property Development Limited.
Ozioko told the court that Diezani used the companies as fronts for the acquisition of the properties, adding that the anti-graft agency had discovered 14 other firms incorporated for the ex-minister for the purpose of holding the titles to those properties.
Diezani, he added, purchased the properties from the proceeds of suspected unlawful activity during her tenure as minister.
In an affidavit filed in support of the ex parte application, an EFCC investigator, Mr. Sombori Mayana, said the EFCC got winds of the properties in 2016 following the execution of a search warrant on the office and premises of Amamgbo, said be Diezani’s acquaintance.
The investigator averred, “Among the documents recovered from the office of Mr.Donald Chidi Amamgbo was an undated report titled ‘HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY EOTK PRODUCT – AUGUST REPORT’
“The report contained a list of 18 companies and several properties located in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the United States of America.
“During the course of his interview, Mr. Donald Amamgbo told us that he registered the 18 companies to assist Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke in holding titles of the properties.”
Mayana averred that a principal manager and head, business development of FBN Mortgages Ltd, Mrs. Bolanle Onotu, confirmed that the properties were sold by her organisation to Diezani’s alleged four proxy firms for N937m, N928m and N650m and received payment through First Bank account numbers 2004483850 and 2008133531 between September 23, 2011, and June 16, 2015.
“First Bank of Nigeria Plc stated that the source of the money was from Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and that the bank picked up United States dollars from her house at 10, Frederick Chiluba Close off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja,” Mayana added.
He said a total of $16,041,906 was picked up by the bank at Diezani’s house between September 29, 2011, and April 4, 2013, and converted to Naira.
According to Mayana, another firm, Adebern Parks Nigeria Ltd received N802,500,000 in its Zenith Bank account from an Ecobank account for the purchase of some of the properties.
One Mr Adeyemi Edun “received the sum of N840,000,000 from Skye Bank Plc which on his instruction transferred the sum of N805,000,000 to his Eco Bank account from where he paid Adebern Parks for the property.”
$823m Abuja metro rail ready by December – Contractor
Dreamers2202/today

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja
Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has said that the phase one of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit projects would be ready by December 2017.
The Project Manager, Mr Kong Tao, stated this while speaking with newsmen who were on tour to the site at Idu, Abuja on Tuesday.
Tao said that the rail transit which cost $823m, (about N299bn) consists of lot 1A and lot 3 covering a length of 45km with 12 designed passenger stations.
He said, “The rail linked the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to the Central Business District.
“The line of the rail mass transit is double-track line of right side running, and standard-gauge is 1435mm; Work on the large scale project is going on smoothly.”
According to him it will be test-run by November and will be inaugurated for public use in December.
He said that the project, after completion, would generate employment and boost the commercial activities of the host communities.
Tao said, “Abuja rail mass transit project is bound to accelerate the growth of national economy.
”The realisation of this large scale project will definitely deliver many benefits to the general public, such as better investment environment,
”It will also enhance better living condition, more employment, land value enhancement, energy saving and greater social responsibility.”
He expressed concern on the vandalism of the rail facilities and equipment of the company.
“Despite the presence of security personnel thieves still operate on a weekly basis,” he said.
He lamented that the host communities often destroyed the perimeter fencing built to prevent trespassing on the rail track.
Lagos to commence Eid-Kabir sales of Lake Rice
The Lagos State Government is set to commence sales of Lake Rice from Thursday 24th August 2017 in various centers across the State to ensure there is adequate supply for Muslim faithful during the forthcoming Eid-Kabir celebration.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, who disclosed today at Alausa, Ikeja, stated that present administration, has since inception, embarked on agricultural policies and programs that will enhance the availability of food in the State and will always remain committed to ensuring food sufficiency.
He added that the present administration will continue to ensure adequate production and a fair distribution of the rice across the State as it will be made available to the masses in the various accredited centers.
The Commissioner stated further that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has approved the distribution and sales of Lake rice in all the 57 Local Government Authorities and Local Council Development Authorities across the State, the Agricultural Development Area Complex Oko-oba Agege, LTV Blue Roof Complex Agidingbi, Ikeja, and other designated centers in Lagos.
He maintained that the prices for the different sizes remain the same: a 50kg bag of Lake Rice will sell for N12,000; 25kg for N6,000, and 10kg for N2,500, noting that the rice is for all Lagosians irrespective of religion or tribe.
Today news
Court orders forfeiture of 56 houses linked to Diezani
Dreamers2202/today

Oladimeji Ramon
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the temporary forfeiture of 56 houses linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The houses, located in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, were said to have been acquired by the ex-minister between 2011 and 2013 using front companies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed that Diezani paid $21,982,224 for the properties, adding that it believed that the funds were proceeds of crime.
The anti-graft agency listed the properties to include 29 terraced houses comprising eight four-bedroomed penthouse apartments, six three-bedroomed apartments, two three-bedroomed maisonettes, two twin bedroomed apartments and one four-bedroom apartment.
The houses, located at No. 7, Thurnbull Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, were allegedly bought by Diezani for the United States dollar equivalent of N937,000,000 through Chapel Properties Ltd.
Others seized houses are 16 four-bedroomed terraced houses in Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu, Government Residential Area (GRA) Phase 1 extension, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, purchased for N928,000,000 through Blue Nile Estate Ltd.
The properties also include 13 three-bedroomed terraced houses with one-room maid’s quarters ensuite for N650,000,000 through Azinga Meadows Ltd.
In an ex parte application brought before Justice Abdulaziz Anka on Tuesday by its counsel, Mr. Anselem Ozioko, the EFCC urged the judge to order the temporary forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.
The judge granted the temporary forfeiture order and directed that a firm should be appointed to manage the properties.
He also ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper and adjourned till September 8, 2017 for any party interested in the property to appear before the court to state why the temporary forfeiture order should not be made permanent.
Listed as first to sixth respondents in the suit are Diezani, Donald Amamgbo, and four firms – Chapel Properties Limited; Blue Nile Estate Limited; Azinga Meadows Limited; and Vistapoint Property Development Limited.
Ozioko told the court that Diezani used the companies as fronts for the acquisition of the properties, adding that the anti-graft agency had discovered 14 other firms incorporated for the ex-minister for the purpose of holding the titles to those properties.
Diezani, he added, purchased the properties from the proceeds of suspected unlawful activity during her tenure as minister.
In an affidavit filed in support of the ex parte application, an EFCC investigator, Mr. Sombori Mayana, said the EFCC got winds of the properties in 2016 following the execution of a search warrant on the office and premises of Amamgbo, said be Diezani’s acquaintance.
The investigator averred, “Among the documents recovered from the office of Mr.Donald Chidi Amamgbo was an undated report titled ‘HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY EOTK PRODUCT – AUGUST REPORT’
“The report contained a list of 18 companies and several properties located in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the United States of America.
“During the course of his interview, Mr. Donald Amamgbo told us that he registered the 18 companies to assist Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke in holding titles of the properties.”
Mayana averred that a principal manager and head, business development of FBN Mortgages Ltd, Mrs. Bolanle Onotu, confirmed that the properties were sold by her organisation to Diezani’s alleged four proxy firms for N937m, N928m and N650m and received payment through First Bank account numbers 2004483850 and 2008133531 between September 23, 2011, and June 16, 2015.
“First Bank of Nigeria Plc stated that the source of the money was from Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and that the bank picked up United States dollars from her house at 10, Frederick Chiluba Close off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja,” Mayana added.
He said a total of $16,041,906 was picked up by the bank at Diezani’s house between September 29, 2011, and April 4, 2013, and converted to Naira.
According to Mayana, another firm, Adebern Parks Nigeria Ltd received N802,500,000 in its Zenith Bank account from an Ecobank account for the purchase of some of the properties.
One Mr Adeyemi Edun “received the sum of N840,000,000 from Skye Bank Plc which on his instruction transferred the sum of N805,000,000 to his Eco Bank account from where he paid Adebern Parks for the property.”
$823m Abuja metro rail ready by December – Contractor
Dreamers2202/today

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja
Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has said that the phase one of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit projects would be ready by December 2017.
The Project Manager, Mr Kong Tao, stated this while speaking with newsmen who were on tour to the site at Idu, Abuja on Tuesday.
Tao said that the rail transit which cost $823m, (about N299bn) consists of lot 1A and lot 3 covering a length of 45km with 12 designed passenger stations.
He said, “The rail linked the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to the Central Business District.
“The line of the rail mass transit is double-track line of right side running, and standard-gauge is 1435mm; Work on the large scale project is going on smoothly.”
According to him it will be test-run by November and will be inaugurated for public use in December.
He said that the project, after completion, would generate employment and boost the commercial activities of the host communities.
Tao said, “Abuja rail mass transit project is bound to accelerate the growth of national economy.
”The realisation of this large scale project will definitely deliver many benefits to the general public, such as better investment environment,
”It will also enhance better living condition, more employment, land value enhancement, energy saving and greater social responsibility.”
He expressed concern on the vandalism of the rail facilities and equipment of the company.
“Despite the presence of security personnel thieves still operate on a weekly basis,” he said.
He lamented that the host communities often destroyed the perimeter fencing built to prevent trespassing on the rail track.
Lagos to commence Eid-Kabir sales of Lake Rice
The Lagos State Government is set to commence sales of Lake Rice from Thursday 24th August 2017 in various centers across the State to ensure there is adequate supply for Muslim faithful during the forthcoming Eid-Kabir celebration.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, who disclosed today at Alausa, Ikeja, stated that present administration, has since inception, embarked on agricultural policies and programs that will enhance the availability of food in the State and will always remain committed to ensuring food sufficiency.
He added that the present administration will continue to ensure adequate production and a fair distribution of the rice across the State as it will be made available to the masses in the various accredited centers.
The Commissioner stated further that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has approved the distribution and sales of Lake rice in all the 57 Local Government Authorities and Local Council Development Authorities across the State, the Agricultural Development Area Complex Oko-oba Agege, LTV Blue Roof Complex Agidingbi, Ikeja, and other designated centers in Lagos.
He maintained that the prices for the different sizes remain the same: a 50kg bag of Lake Rice will sell for N12,000; 25kg for N6,000, and 10kg for N2,500, noting that the rice is for all Lagosians irrespective of religion or tribe.
Dreamers2202/today

Oladimeji Ramon
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the temporary forfeiture of 56 houses linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The houses, located in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, were said to have been acquired by the ex-minister between 2011 and 2013 using front companies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed that Diezani paid $21,982,224 for the properties, adding that it believed that the funds were proceeds of crime.
The anti-graft agency listed the properties to include 29 terraced houses comprising eight four-bedroomed penthouse apartments, six three-bedroomed apartments, two three-bedroomed maisonettes, two twin bedroomed apartments and one four-bedroom apartment.
The houses, located at No. 7, Thurnbull Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, were allegedly bought by Diezani for the United States dollar equivalent of N937,000,000 through Chapel Properties Ltd.
Others seized houses are 16 four-bedroomed terraced houses in Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu, Government Residential Area (GRA) Phase 1 extension, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, purchased for N928,000,000 through Blue Nile Estate Ltd.
The properties also include 13 three-bedroomed terraced houses with one-room maid’s quarters ensuite for N650,000,000 through Azinga Meadows Ltd.
In an ex parte application brought before Justice Abdulaziz Anka on Tuesday by its counsel, Mr. Anselem Ozioko, the EFCC urged the judge to order the temporary forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.
The judge granted the temporary forfeiture order and directed that a firm should be appointed to manage the properties.
He also ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper and adjourned till September 8, 2017 for any party interested in the property to appear before the court to state why the temporary forfeiture order should not be made permanent.
Listed as first to sixth respondents in the suit are Diezani, Donald Amamgbo, and four firms – Chapel Properties Limited; Blue Nile Estate Limited; Azinga Meadows Limited; and Vistapoint Property Development Limited.
Ozioko told the court that Diezani used the companies as fronts for the acquisition of the properties, adding that the anti-graft agency had discovered 14 other firms incorporated for the ex-minister for the purpose of holding the titles to those properties.
Diezani, he added, purchased the properties from the proceeds of suspected unlawful activity during her tenure as minister.
In an affidavit filed in support of the ex parte application, an EFCC investigator, Mr. Sombori Mayana, said the EFCC got winds of the properties in 2016 following the execution of a search warrant on the office and premises of Amamgbo, said be Diezani’s acquaintance.
The investigator averred, “Among the documents recovered from the office of Mr.Donald Chidi Amamgbo was an undated report titled ‘HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY EOTK PRODUCT – AUGUST REPORT’
“The report contained a list of 18 companies and several properties located in the United Kingdom, Nigeria and the United States of America.
“During the course of his interview, Mr. Donald Amamgbo told us that he registered the 18 companies to assist Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke in holding titles of the properties.”
Mayana averred that a principal manager and head, business development of FBN Mortgages Ltd, Mrs. Bolanle Onotu, confirmed that the properties were sold by her organisation to Diezani’s alleged four proxy firms for N937m, N928m and N650m and received payment through First Bank account numbers 2004483850 and 2008133531 between September 23, 2011, and June 16, 2015.
“First Bank of Nigeria Plc stated that the source of the money was from Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and that the bank picked up United States dollars from her house at 10, Frederick Chiluba Close off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja,” Mayana added.
He said a total of $16,041,906 was picked up by the bank at Diezani’s house between September 29, 2011, and April 4, 2013, and converted to Naira.
According to Mayana, another firm, Adebern Parks Nigeria Ltd received N802,500,000 in its Zenith Bank account from an Ecobank account for the purchase of some of the properties.
One Mr Adeyemi Edun “received the sum of N840,000,000 from Skye Bank Plc which on his instruction transferred the sum of N805,000,000 to his Eco Bank account from where he paid Adebern Parks for the property.”
$823m Abuja metro rail ready by December – Contractor
Dreamers2202/today

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja
Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has said that the phase one of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit projects would be ready by December 2017.
The Project Manager, Mr Kong Tao, stated this while speaking with newsmen who were on tour to the site at Idu, Abuja on Tuesday.
Tao said that the rail transit which cost $823m, (about N299bn) consists of lot 1A and lot 3 covering a length of 45km with 12 designed passenger stations.
He said, “The rail linked the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to the Central Business District.
“The line of the rail mass transit is double-track line of right side running, and standard-gauge is 1435mm; Work on the large scale project is going on smoothly.”
According to him it will be test-run by November and will be inaugurated for public use in December.
He said that the project, after completion, would generate employment and boost the commercial activities of the host communities.
Tao said, “Abuja rail mass transit project is bound to accelerate the growth of national economy.
”The realisation of this large scale project will definitely deliver many benefits to the general public, such as better investment environment,
”It will also enhance better living condition, more employment, land value enhancement, energy saving and greater social responsibility.”
He expressed concern on the vandalism of the rail facilities and equipment of the company.
“Despite the presence of security personnel thieves still operate on a weekly basis,” he said.
He lamented that the host communities often destroyed the perimeter fencing built to prevent trespassing on the rail track.
Lagos to commence Eid-Kabir sales of Lake Rice
The Lagos State Government is set to commence sales of Lake Rice from Thursday 24th August 2017 in various centers across the State to ensure there is adequate supply for Muslim faithful during the forthcoming Eid-Kabir celebration.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, who disclosed today at Alausa, Ikeja, stated that present administration, has since inception, embarked on agricultural policies and programs that will enhance the availability of food in the State and will always remain committed to ensuring food sufficiency.
He added that the present administration will continue to ensure adequate production and a fair distribution of the rice across the State as it will be made available to the masses in the various accredited centers.
The Commissioner stated further that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has approved the distribution and sales of Lake rice in all the 57 Local Government Authorities and Local Council Development Authorities across the State, the Agricultural Development Area Complex Oko-oba Agege, LTV Blue Roof Complex Agidingbi, Ikeja, and other designated centers in Lagos.
He maintained that the prices for the different sizes remain the same: a 50kg bag of Lake Rice will sell for N12,000; 25kg for N6,000, and 10kg for N2,500, noting that the rice is for all Lagosians irrespective of religion or tribe.
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