News
UK begins Alison-Madueke’s trial on bribery charges
Alison-Madueke sat in the dock alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who is charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.
The alleged corruption trial of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke commenced on Tuesday at the London’s Southwark Crown Court.
Alison-Madueke sat in the dock alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who is charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.
British prosecutors told the court that Alison-Madueke took bribes including luxury goods and the use of high-end properties from industry figures interested in lucrative oil and gas contracts, when she was minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-president Goodluck Jonathan and was also briefly president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the first woman to hold either role.
According to Reuters, the 65-year-old is now one of the most high-profile former energy officials to stand trial for alleged corruption, having been charged in 2023 with five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, which she denies.
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy told jurors at London’s Southwark Crown Court that Alison-Madueke “enjoyed a life of luxury in London”, where she often stayed, provided by those interested in being awarded or retaining contracts with Nigerian state-owned companies.
Healy said Alison-Madueke was given the use of high-end properties and vast quantities of luxury goods by people who “clearly believed she would use her influence to favour them”.
There was no evidence that Alison-Madueke awarded contracts to someone who should not have had one, Healy said.
But given Alison-Madueke’s role “she should not have accepted benefits from those who were no doubt doing extremely lucrative business in oil and gas with government-owned entities”, Healy added.
News
FAAN evacuate 68 Passengers as Enugu Air crash-lands in Benin Airport
The flight was said to have originated from Lagos to Benin and had reportedly been cleared to land but overshot the runway, apparently due to heavy rainfall.
Sixty-eight passengers narrowly escaped death when an Enugu Air aircraft crash-landed at the Benin Airport on Thursday.
The aircraft, with Registration Number 5N-ENR, reportedly had 68 passengers on board, apart from the crew members.
The aircraft was on an Enugu-Benin-Lagos commercial flight when the incident occurred.
The aircraft overshot the runway and entered the nearby bush.
Following this, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), immediately swung into action and all the passengers were evacuated. No casualty was recorded.
Further details of the crash emerged later, indicating that some of the passengers sustained injuries.
The flight was said to have originated from Lagos to Benin and had reportedly been cleared to land but overshot the runway, apparently due to heavy rainfall.
News
Soludo’s daughter bags First Class from UK university
Her mother, the Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, celebrated her for achieving the feat, describing it as the result of hard work, sacrifice and faith in God.
• Oduko Soludo
Oduko, the third daughter of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Neuroscience from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Her mother, the Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, celebrated her for achieving the feat, describing it as the result of hard work, sacrifice and faith in God.
In a congratulatory message she personally signed and released on Thursday, Mrs Soludo expressed gratitude to God for her daughter’s academic achievement, describing it as a testament to hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering faith.
She said Oduko’s success showed that true achievement was not a product of chance but of diligence, perseverance and steadfast faith in God.
News
Senate okays Yuguda acting in full capacity as AMCON Board chairman
The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).
The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Lamido Yuguda Abubakar as Chairman of the Board of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).
Abiru, during the presentation of the report, urged the Senate to consider and approve the nomination of Yuguda for appointment as chairman of the AMCON board.
The development followed a request by President Bola Tinubu seeking the screening and confirmation of Yuguda’s appointment.
The President’s request was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on July 8.
FAAN evacuate 68 Passengers as Enugu Air crash-lands in Benin Airport
Soludo’s daughter bags First Class from UK university
Senate okays Yuguda acting in full capacity as AMCON Board chairman
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