News
Dispute stalls Federal Govt, Emefiele plea bargain talks
The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele and other top officials of the bank held by the Department of State Service (DSS), may face trial, this is according to the Nation newspaper.
This follows the stalling of the plea bargain move between the Federal Government and the embattled apex bank boss.
The Nation newspaper reported that Emefiele and the affected officials of the apex bank have “not made substantial concessions on some refunds expected from them, while sources said trillions of Naira were being tracked by a federal agency but only a few billions of naira was offered as refundable by some of those linked to the suspicious transactions.
It was gathered that some interceding forces and Emefiele have not made progress on the plea bargain terms.
Despite Emefiele’s offer to step aside in August, the other aspects of plea bargain process were “not substantially met.”
It has also been confirmed that the four deputy governors were dropped because of their alleged complacency when Emefiele was in the saddle at the apex bank.
It was learnt that the Presidency was shocked by the “massive scale of fraud and flagrant violations of the CBN Act,”.
It was also learnt that following interventions, the government’s investigation, initially coordinated by a security agency, had recommended plea bargain option with Emefiele, who wanted it.
Apart from Emefiele offering to step aside, other terms were the withdrawal of court cases against the government and the refund of substantial cash allegedly linked to him and others.
But there were strong indications that the plea bargain option may have suffered a setback.
“The engagement of the Special Investigator has also uncovered more mismanagement of resources and questionable expenditures in CBN than what some security agencies dug up.
A source within the Presidency, said the CBN was stinking. He declined to volunteer information on the plea bargain dimension.
The source said the government might prosecute anyone indicted.
He said: “I don’t know whether plea bargain has collapsed or not. I don’t even know if that is on the table to start with. But I know the CBN Governor and the Deputies have been removed.
“The investigations across board are going on and Iam sure the govt will prosecute anyone who has compromised the country.”
Investigation confirmed that the four deputy governors were replaced because of their alleged complacency.
The Presidency source said none of the deputy governors complained when Emefiele was allegedly mismanaging the CBN.
“Most of the DGs “actively collaborated with Emefiele on policies and decisions not in line with the CBN’s mandate,” he said.
Those affected were Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi (Deputy Gov Operations and Acting Governor); Aisha Ahmad (Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability): Adamu Lamtek (Deputy Gov Corporate Services) and Kingsley Obiora (Deputy Governor, Economic Policy).
The source added: “Investigation is still ongoing. The special investigator sure uncovered a lot of rots which implicated the Deputy Governors.
“There is no way the Deputy Governors would have remained with the scale of corruption, poor corporate governance and complacency that happened under Emefiele.
“Allowing them to remain will mean the government has condoned all that went down under their watch.”
Source: The Nation Newspaper
Explosives destroyed buildings and others property at the Tony Okocha-led secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The gate of the secretariat and the doors were shattered by the explosion which happened Saturday morning while local government election is taking place in the state.
Gate of the secretariat dropped on the ground by the explosion
Chairman of the faction of APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha narrated how the incident happened.
“About 3:20am some gun-trotting young men with their explosives and all that, came here and dropped the first explosive, maybe because the one they dropped here did not detonate, they came back the second time to burn the structure – look at the security house is gone.
“Behind me you will see that there was also an attempt, our people came and we were able to quench the fire,” Okocha said.
Windows shattered by the explosives
He alleged that the incident was politically motivated and blamed the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he said had earlier declared war over the local government election.
“Is APC secretariat here any voting unit?
There is no voting unit here.
So, it was deliberate to see how they can annihilate us, it is deliberate to see how they can embarrass us, it is deliberate to see how they can decimate us,” Okocha said.Amid controversies surrounding the Rivers local government poll, accreditation and voting has started in many polling centres around Port Harcourt City.
More update later….
First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , Senator Oluremi Tinubu has described the deceased Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Patience Umo Eno, as a peaceful and God-fearing woman who truly loved her people.
In a statement, Busola Kukoyi, the SSA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said that the First Lady was joined on the visit by Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, wives of the leadership of the National Assembly and State governors wives.
Oluremi Tinubu spoke at the Governor’s Lodge, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital where she condoled with the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno on the death of his wife.
In an emotional reflection on her relationship with the deceased, the First Lady said she was honored to have met her, noting that she served her people and finished her course well.
“Politics aside, we are all Nigerians and one of the things I thank God for is when we meet people, we should show love and care.
I want to thank God that despite her short time in life she finished her course. God will comfort you the husband, comfort you the children.
I will always be here for you” A condolence register opened in honor of the deceased was signed by the First Lady after which special prayers were held for the repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for the family during their grieving moment. Appreciating the First Lady for being a true mother to all, the Governor noted that party affiliation does not cross her mind when dealing with people
He described his dead wife as his greatest partner noting that he would mourn her for the rest of his life. He, however, promised to sustain the activities of the First Lady’s office in the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the nation’s second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
In his 64th Independence Anniversary Speech on 1 October, President Tinubu conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic( CFR) on the speaker and the deputy senate president.
This development led to a debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, calling on the President to confer a higher honour on the Speaker.
President Tinubu was persuaded by the House of Representatives position and has decided to remedy the historical error and oversight.
Thus, he has decided to upgrade the Speaker to GCON from CFR, in accordance with the National Order of Precedence.
The speaker, the Senate President, other principal officers of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice of Nigeria will be formally decorated with their new honours later.
Checks by Ohibaba.com, show that a Grand Commander is a high-ranking title typically conferred upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, or achievements in various fields.
The role and responsibilities of a Grand Commander vary depending on the country.
Examples of Grand Commanders in Nigeria.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
2. Tajudeen Abbas, GCON
3. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR
JUST IN: Explosion Rocks Tony Okocha-Led Rivers APC Secretariat As LG Poll Holds
Oluremi Tinubu Speaks on Patience Umo Eno’s Life
President Tinubu Confers GCON on House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Fubara, others chase police deployment from RISIEC’s office
-
Crime12 hours agoJUST IN: Explosion Rocks Tony Okocha-Led Rivers APC Secretariat As LG Poll Holds
-
Business2 days agoPresident Tinubu Submits Four Tax Reform Bills to National Assembly
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Police vow to enforce judgement against Rivers LG poll
-
Business1 day agoEmirates Returns to Nigeria Airspace in Grand Style ▪︎ Lauds FG, Aviation Authority
-
News2 days agoHerdsmen Murder Nine People in Benue Communities
-
Business2 days agoRecapitalisation: Alawuba Wets Investors Appetite Ahead of UBA’s Capital Raising
-
News1 day agoFubara Vows To Resist LG Poll Disruption says Police Presence Inconsequential