The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed four Rivers State Government officials on its Wanted List. Among them is Mr Fubara Siminayi, the accountant General of Rivers State.
The officials, comprising three men and one woman, were declared wanted by the anti-graft agency over alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds and abuse of office to the tune of N117billion.
The four officials are among the 59 suspects wanted by the EFCC for offences ranging from money laundering to obtaining money by false pretence, fraud, internet-related offences and issuance of dud cheques.
The four Rivers government officials include Fubara Siminayi, the accountant General of Rivers State, Lekia V. Bukpor, Dagogo Rodderick Abere, and the only woman among them, Harrisonba Bessi Princewill, a cashier.
According to the EFCC, the suspects, “in their capacity as signatories to the Rivers State Government account, are alleged to have acted as proxies to several government officials, conspired and fraudulently withdrew and diverted the sum between 2015 and 2018.”
It added that all the suspects hailed from Rivers State and urged members of the public with useful information as to their whereabouts to contact any of the Commission’s offices or the nearest police station or other security agencies.
The police in Ogun State have arrested “a notorious and murderous cultist,” who was accused of terrorising Abeokuta and Ifo environs.
The suspect, who was identified as Rotimi Adebiyi (a.k.a Paracetamol), was nabbed on Saturday.
Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi said on Sunday that Adebiyi had been on the command’s wanted list, over “his role in several cult clashes in the State, which has led to the death of some members of another cult group.”
The suspect was reportedly arrested by the CSP Olanrewaju Kalejaye-led SWAT operatives in his hideout at Ifo.
“The suspect, a leader of Eiye cult group, used to come into Abeokuta metropolis to strike and always run back to his hideout in Ifo.
“The police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed his place at about 1:30 am of Saturday 30th of April 2022, where he was apprehended,” Oyeyemi said.
According to DAILY POST a cut-to-size local pistol, a cutlass, one live cartridge, assorted criminal charms and weed suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from the suspect.
In order to arraign the suspected cultist without further delay, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Lanre Bankole, has ordered a full scale investigation into the past activities of the suspect.
Joe Anatune, the leader of the media team of Governor Charles Soludo, has died a few days after bagging government’s appointment.
Anatune reportedly lost his life on Saturday a few days after his 62nd birthday, and a little over a week after he bagged a government appointment.
The media manager was recently appointed on April 19, 2022, as the MD/CEO of Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
Reacting to the demise, Soludo expressed shock and sadness over the incident through a press statement released by Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary.
He said: “Soludo described Joe Anatune as one of the foremost Apostles of the Soludo project with an uncommon strength and courage to deliver on any given assignment.
“He stated further that Joe’s personal sacrifices during his electioneering campaign were not only exceptional but highly commendable.
“He spearheaded the Soludo Promoters Forum (SPF) and for two years used the platform to engage the professionals into mainstream politics. The government and the good people of Anambra State will sorely miss Joe Anatune.”
Workers’ Day: Ecobank Nigeria To Host Webinar On Investment Opportunities
Ecobank Nigeria has concluded arrangements to hold a consumer-focused and investment-oriented webinar titled “Today’s Opportunities for Your Money; Making the Best of the Moment”. The webinar, slated for May 6, 2022, by 11am is in commemoration of Workers’ day and it will feature a carefully selected panel of speakers; notably Jimi Ogbobine, Head of Agusto Consulting, business experts from the bank’s Treasury and Consumer Products teams, as well as Ecobank Development Corporation (EDC), the bespoke investment arm of the Ecobank Group. The registration link is https://bit.ly/3OHw35s
Speaking ahead of the event, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the webinar will focus essentially on the investment opportunities available to customers and non customers considering current macro-economic realities, adding that it will also provide a guide to investment in key sectors and the banks offerings to help them get the best out of today’s financial landscape.
According to her, “The purely virtual webinar is designed for workers, salary earners, business owners and open to everyone. A consumer banking webinar of this magnitude is one of the numerous ways we retain our leading position as a Pan-African Bank and our customers’ preferred financial partner and this year’s Workers’ Day celebration gives us another opportunity to provide them value that goes beyond banking.”
She further explained that “In putting together this webinar, our goal is to provide every individual; irrespective of their location, class or income range, the right financial advice to help them unlock maximum value for their money. People work hard for their money and they deserve to acquire the insights that will help them put their money to work. We believe this webinar will help them achieve that.”
While imploring members of the public to join the webinar, Mrs. Demola-Adeniyi maintained: “The webinar is bound to provide financial education and financial planning tips to our customers and every other participant. “Participants will be informed about relevant investment opportunities to create wealth and most importantly, how the bank can be useful to them at this time. “It is important to make an informed decision regarding how to manage your money.”
Ecobank Nigeria Ltd. is a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, the leading Pan-African banking group with operations in 33 African countries and an international presence in four locations (London, Paris, Beijing, and Dubai). Ecobank Nigeria is a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transaction banking services and products to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, international organizations, medium, small and micro businesses and individuals.
Ecobank is a major player in the distribution of financial services in Nigeria, leveraging digital platforms including Ecobank Mobile App and USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, Ecobank OmniPlus, Ecobank Omnilite, EcobankPay, Ecobank RapidTransfer, ATMs, POSs and an extensive distribution network of over 250 branches and over 50,000 agency banking locations.
Poland has sent reinforcements to Ukraine despite earlier warnings from Russia.
The country has supplied their neighbours with equipment, such as dozens of infantry fighting vehicles and the 2S1 Carnation self-propelled howitzers, drones, Grad multiple rocket launchers and Piorun (Thunderbolt) man-portable air defense systems.
It has also sent over 200 T-72 tanks over the past few weeks, CNN reports, quoting Polskie Radio, Poland’s national public-service radio.
The report said that Poland has so far provided military equipment worth $1.6 billion to Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki made this disclosure last week.
This move, however, is against Russia’s earlier warning that any country, especially in the European Union that provides lethal weapons to Ukraine during the ongoing war, would face the consequences.
Two personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been reportedly killed in Benue State in an encounter with gunmen suspected to be terrorists.
Naija News learnt that two other locals were also killed in separate attacks in the state.
It was reported that the NSCDC personnel were attacked at their duty post at a waterside vicinity in the Wadata axis of Makurdi Local Government Area on Friday.
A resident who spoke with Daily Trust confirmed that the other two villagers were hacked to death in the evening hour of Thursday while working on their farms in Tse Tume in the Turan council ward of Logo LGA of the state.
A community leader had disclosed the names of the deceased as Terkende Injarwua and Mfaiga Ukor.
He told reporters that their remains had been recovered and buried on Friday.
On the account of the NSCDC officers killed, the Public Relations Officer of the security agency in the state, Michael Ejelikwu, promised to give details of the incident in later hours.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene said, “That was not reported to me.”
Meanwhile, at least five persons have been killed in Anambra State when some unknown gunmen attacked a popular drinking joint on Friday night.
The assailants according to reports, stormed a restaurant situated at Uto Ndu in Obiofia Village, under Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state at about 8:00 pm and started shooting sporadically.
The owner of the restaurant identified simply as Ụtọ Ndụ (a female) was also killed in the attack, Naija News learnt.
Sympathisers, friends and some relatives of the victims have taken to social media to mourn their beloved family members.
Remains of the victims have been reportedly transported to a mortuary while security operatives launch a hunt on the perpetrators.
Heritage Bank, Delta State rev-up creative sector for economic growth
…Omu Anioma unveils local fabrics ‘Akwa Ocha’
Heritage Bank Plc, Nigeria’s Most Innovative Service provider has collaborated with Delta State to make the creative and entertainment industry mainstay of revenue generation that will stimulate sustainable growth to the nation’s economy.
This was disclosed when the Omu Anioma and Nneoha, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu unveiled the Anioma eternal native attire, “Akwa Ocha” to the Entertainment world during the Delta Music, Comedy and Fashion Expo held at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, Delta State. Meanwhile, during a contest for best dancers dressed in Akwa-Ocha, organized by 2Things Promotion and prize money guaranteed by Heritage Bank Ynspyre Account, the 1st Prize winner, Friday Nkechi received N250,000, whilst Opene-Terry Joseph and Usanga Joseph as the 2nd and 3rd winners carted away N150,000 and N100,000, respectively
The MD/CEO of the bank, Ifie Sekibo, in his remarks said the partnership is in line with its culture as timeless wealth partners which has continued to impact positively on the nation’s socio-economic development.
“The Akwa Ocha fabric Industry, Entertainment and Creative Industry that Delta State is known for, may be the revenue base of the State Government beyond Oil. Heritage Bank is always available and ready to partner with the State and players in the industry to achieve Delta beyond Oil,” he said.
According to him, the music and entertainment industry has done so much for Nigeria in terms of employment and foreign exchange earnings and if more resources could be put into it, the country would be better for it.
Sekibo who was represented by the Ag. Group Head, South-South 2/ECM, Charles Ojakovo affirmed that the bank would continue to support initiatives that have to do with sustainable growth, adding that the bank has always supported the Entertainment and Creative Industry.
“This Industry over the years has had a huge impact on our GDP and engaging a very large number of our youths thereby reducing the level of unemployment.
“Akwa ocha is an Anioma Heritage and our Heritage, and there is need to take it to the next level and international standards, as a hub to orchestrate economic growth,” he noted.
He further explained that Heritage Bank’s various entrepreneural schemes in support of business had always focused on dependable job-creating sectors, such as agricultural value chain (fish farming, poultry, snail farming), cottage industry, mining and solid minerals, creative industry (tourism, arts, and crafts), and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
HRM Dunkwu commended Heritage Bank for its partnership with the organizers of the event for factoring a concept that introduces the Akwa Ocha fabric into fashion shows.
She emphasized how impressed she was at the beautiful appearance of all the models who were gorgeously dressed in the attire in such a dignified and holy exhibition.
Omu Dunkwu said she couldn’t have been more excited having been chosen as the one to do the unveiling of the Akwa Ocha for which she had devoted over a decade to promoting in line with propagating the unique identity and values of the Anioma people of Delta State.
Dunkwu affirmed that there was no fabric like the Akwa Ocha all over the world, which is why different people of the world are coming to identify with the source of the captivating attire – Anioma land.
The cerebral Queen Mother of the Anioma nation advised that conscious effort be made to market the brand by the younger generation who are willing to go into fashion business, maintaining that Akwa Ocha fabric could be money spinning venture if well packaged because of its unique and attractive features.
Seventy-five inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ibara Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Old Abeokuta, Ogun State, have become Ministers of God after bagging Diploma certificates in Theology.
It was gathered that the inmates have undergone a six-month training at the seminary, geared towards reforming and rehabilitating them.
The programme had the combined efforts of other Ministers of God who repeatedly visited the yard to teach the graduating students.
At the graduation ceremony held within the premises of the custodial centre, the National Director of the project, Dr Olamide Emmanuel, said the event was an effort to reform and rehabilitate criminated minds.
“We combined efforts with some men of God to work at the custodial centre here. We have about 75 of them who have distinguished themselves to serve God. Some of them have been released and they have started work outside. The programme is in three stages and it’s already a year today.
“We discovered that many leave this place destitutely with nothing to fall back on. They are castigated outside, they are stigmatised. But, through the help of Ministers of God, we built their psyche so that they will know this is not the end of life, better things are there for them outside,” he said.
Dr Emmanuel disclosed that the third stage of the programme would produce graduates with Bachelor’s degrees in Theology, saying, “We have those who are qualified for that already.”
The Deputy Controller of Corrections, Oshin Bamidele, who is in charge of the Ibara Maximum Security Custodial Centre, held that the duty of correctional officers is to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate.
“As correctional officers, our mandate is to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate back into the society. We achieve this through educational programmes and religious activities. These are 75 inmates who have gone through theological school known as seminary. We have seen very radical changes in them,” Oshin said, appreciating the NCoS Controller General, Haliru Nababa for giving them the opportunity to impact the lives of the inmates.
Speaking with newsmen, the Social Welfare Officer of the centre, AbdulAkeem Awesu, said, “Today we are graduating 75 of our Christian inmates who have distinguished themselves in the school of seminary. This programme is under the religious education for the inmates. They will be awarded diploma.”
According to him, the training was not just to train pastors, but for moral modification, spiritual attention and protection
“This goes beyond being a pastor. It has to do with moral modification, spiritual attention and protection, as well as inculcating discipline and the word of God into them. Being a pastor is a thing of choice, but they have undergone process of reformation and rehabilitation. My advice for them is to keep it up,” Awesu said.
In their separate remarks, a male and female graduand (names withheld) explained that they have been reformed spiritually and physically by the training programme, thanking the organisers.
The graduands appealed to youths to give their lives to Christ, saying that is the only way to live a life of holiness and righteousness.
“If you don’t have Jesus in your life, you will be living a life of crisis,” they admonished.
In order not to end up in jail, the inmates advised youths to obey all rules and regulations and accept Jesus as their personal Lord and saviour. Continue Reading
