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PandoraPapers: I have $15 million in Offshore accounts – Peter Obi

Former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi has revealed why he opened offshore accounts for himself and his family abroad.

Obi got into hot water after the release of the Pandora Papers, a project carried out by a global International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

The project saw 600 journalists from 150 news organisations around the world poring through a trove of 11.9 million confidential files.

The leaked files were retrieved from some offshore services firms around the world that set up shell companies and other offshore entities for clients. Obi was exposed in the report as one of the personalities who clandestinely set up and operated businesses overseas, including in notorious tax and secrecy havens in ways that breached Nigerian laws.

Appearing on Arise TV on Monday, monitored by POLITICS NIGERIA, he addressed the issue stating that the he breached no law and committed no crime. In his words;

“Trust company is a legitimate vehicle used everywhere globally for investment, savings and estate planning purposes. In my Particular case and that of my family, it was done on very valuable advice of our then bankers, Loyce TSB. This is what they did for all their international clients who operated at the time i lived in the UK. They will help you to see that the formulated trust company offshore and that is what we did.”

“This company was never used to launder money before, during and after till date. It wasn’t used for anything during my time in office. It was strictly a trust company for savings and family planning that was used to support our borrowings which we even invested in this country”.

When asked by one of the Programme anchors if he had $500 million in offshore accounts. Obi replied;

“If you see more than 3% of that, in there, confiscate all my properties here and abroad”.

He continued: “As a father, I save for my children, i save for my family and they Know”.

“If you go there and find more than 3%, about 3% which is about $15 million, if i bequeath my children $500 million, i have cursed them. There is money you bequeath People, you curse them. You bequeath them what is manageable so that they can start their life. If you see anything more than $15 million there, confiscate what i have overseas and here”.

Those condemning brutal flogging of madrasa students encourage their children to go for BBNaija — MURIC

The Director and Founder of the Muslim Rights Concern, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday urged Nigerians not to jump to conclusions over the viral video of some madrasa students being brutally flogged in Kwara State.

Although he noted that the punishment meted out to the students was ‘too harsh’, Akinsola said that those condemning the brutal flogging encourage their children to participate in the Big Brother Naija show.

Akintola aired his views in a statement released on MURIC‘s website where he urged the public to allow the state government to investigate the matter.

The statement read in part, “While we regard the punishment meted out to the students as too harsh, we maintain that the action of the school authorities should not be judged in isolation. The fact that the parents requested the school to discipline their children must not be ignored.

“MURIC is also in possession of another video in which the students confessed that they engaged in shameful and unIslamic actions, namely; visiting a club, drinking alcohol, bathing themselves with alcohol, etc. These are horrible acts in which ordinary Muslims must not be involved.

“Arabic schools are the repository of morality and the vault of uprightness. They are the conscience of the Ummah. The offence committed by those students becomes more unacceptable when the actors are students of an Arabic school who are expected to be the epitome of morality and religiosity.”

He continued “The abyss of moral decadence into which the Nigerian society has fallen is responsible for most of the woes facing us in this country today. Nigerians now indulge their children. Family values and norms have been thrown to the winds. Parents allow their children to dictate to them. Instead of parents condemning waywardness in their children and punishing them for it, they now condone and collaborate.”

Akintola further commended the parents of the flogged students for instructing the school authorities to punish them.

The Islamic cleric further stated that people condemning the act allow their children to participate in ‘BBNaija’s shameful sex in public’.

He said, “This is not London where a five-year-old child can call the police to arrest his mum for spanking him and all London police units will come racing to the house, blaring siren. This is not New York where a mother must seek permission from her three-year-old baby before the latter’s nappy can be changed. This is Nigeria, the heartbeat of Africa.

“We commend the parents of those children who instructed the school authorities to punish their children. Posterity will count them among Nigeria’s puritans and disciplinarians. Those who are condemning the parents and the teachers today are those who will gladly encourage their own children and wards to participate in BBNaija’s shameful sex in public.”

Akintola further urged the state government to investigate the matter.

“In the light of the above, we urge Muslims in Kwara State and the general public to allow the Kwara State Government to investigate the incident. The government itself must adopt a middle road. We invite parents and guardians to discipline their children and wards promptly and proportionately,” he said.

Sunday Igboho is Seriously injured, Needs Urgent Medical Care – Lawyer opens up

Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou, Benin Republic-based lawyers of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, has disclosed that his client wanted to travel to Germany in July to seek medical attention..

He disclosed that the activist sustained an injury during a face-off with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at his house in Soka, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Salami said this in a video interview published on BBC News Yoruba on Monday morning.

“He was injured – his right side – when the DSS stormed his home. And it is causing a lot of pain to him. It is because he is a warrior, that is why he is still alive,” Salami said in Yoruba language.

“He needs a competent doctor to take care of him. That is why he wanted to go to Germany.

“What he wants is that the Benin judges should grant him freedom, so that he would be able to go to Germany.”

Igboho clocked 49 years old in a detention facility in Cotonou, Benin Republic on Sunday. He is now reported to be seeking asylum in Benin Republic.

According to Politics Nigeria, There were reports that the Nigerian government pushed for an extradition of the activist but the news medium cannot independently verify this claim.

Kwara Islamic Cleric Justifies Brutalization Of Arabic Students (Video)

An Islamic cleric in Musbaudeen Al Islamy Arabic School, Ganmo, in Kwara State has justified the brutalization of some students of the Arabic school.

Five male and female students of the Islamic school were flogged by their senior colleagues in viral videos on the internet.

The development has stirred reaction online, as some people have called for legal actions to be taken in respect to the issue.

A cleric of the school while reacting to the incident said flogging of the students is in accordance with Islamic teachings.

He further stated that the parents of the affected students approved the severe flogging.

The cleric said, “Some parents called us, blaming us that we were not looking after their children who are kept under our care. They said we should check social media.

“We saw them in a club pouring Trophy beer on one of them to celebrate his birthday. In fact, a lady was with them and they were hugging her.

“This saddened us, especially with what their parents said against us. That’s why we gave them that kind of punishment.

“Those who are drinkers may not see anything bad what these children did. But to us, it’s very bad. We punished some four days ago and others three days ago. We don’t usually flog them. But their parents called us and some have assured us that they would stand with us to any length.”

Watch video here

Going Into Polygamy one of my greatest errors in life – Raymond Dokpesi

The Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, on Saturday said one of the greatest errors of his life was going into polygamy.

According to him, contrary to the impression that he entered into polygamy because of his wealth, he revealed that it was due to internal family challenges.

Dokpesi stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Saturday as part of the activities to mark his 70th birthday.
The media mogul also revealed how he survived poisoning as a little child even as doctors in Poland predicted that he would not last more than 35 years.
The PUNCH reported that Dokpesi’s autobiography titled: “The Handkerchief”, would soon be unveiled to mark his 70th birthday scheduled for October 25.

He said, “I am a Catholic and I definitely will tell you that one of the greatest errors of my life is polygamy. But it is not something that I desired or something that I wanted. It was a situation that developed, I just had no alternative.
“A lot of people looked at it as if it was wealth that distorted my behaviour but the truth of the matter is that there were internal family challenges that led to the polygamy. I was married to a Polish woman, I wanted to remain with the Polish woman, I still desired it in my old age but she left Nigeria for reasons that she was the only child of her parents and so she had to stay with her parents and I had to stay here and there is no leave in marriage.

“And so, I shuttled down to Poland over 16 times requesting her to come back to Nigeria and stay but as the only child, she wanted to be by them. My mother was very anxious that I should have children that are my own; kids that I don’t have to enter a plane to go and visit. That whole thing caused the instability that later affected my life.”

The DAAR Communication boss further gave insight on how Polish doctors gave him a 35-year life span.
“Well, let me say 35 years was the benchmark that was given to me because, in my very early years, I was very sickly. I was fairly handicapped because I could not talk from the very beginning of my life; but very many people assumed that because I could not talk, I could not hear or I could not understand what it was.

“So, I would normally just look and see, watch things as they happened. And I vividly recall when one of my father’s very close friends came to intervene about my schooling and he condemned, outright, any effort to invest in me because I was very sickly and secondly, he had not seen any child of a northerner succeed.

“I was handicapped and that was the toughest moment in my life at that stage and at that time, I felt highly discriminated against, I felt that I was likely to be denied the opportunity to live,” Dokpesi recalled.
“By the time, I was about 12 years I was terribly sick, my mother and father took me to several places from hospitals to native doctors and churches praying, looking for an opportunity for me to survive.

“They later took me down to Agenebode, when my father had almost given up, that I was not going to survive. We went through the banks of River Niger at the time. When we got to the destination, they said I had been poisoned and the people that committed the atrocity were there present and they will be able to deliver me,” he added.

Eventually, he was cured. “But behold, here I am, 70 years old, all those challenges put behind, I am strong, I am healthy and I thank Almighty God and all Nigerians that have given me support all through to be able to reach this year,” he enthused.

London house: Oyetola breaks silence on Pandora Papers

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, has denied allegations in Pandora Papers linking him to the purchase of a property in London.

Oyetola denied the allegation in a statement on Saturday issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan.

The governor said he resigned his directorship of Aranda Overseas Corporation in 2011 when he was appointed Chief of Staff to the then Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

However, a report by online Premium Times claimed the Pandora Papers alleged that Governor Oyetola acquired the UK mansion in 2017 by proxy.

The governor also stated that he had no relationship whatsoever with Adebayo Aluko, the alleged owner of the said property let alone have any business transaction with him.

Oyetola stated that he had not broken any law as he resigned his Directorship of Global Investments Offshore Limited upon his appointment, in 2011.

“We have seen reports in some online media platforms concerning the PANDORA PAPERS’ allegations. This is, therefore, to set the record straight, the statement read.

“Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State, resigned his directorship of Aranda Overseas Corporation in 2011, when he took up political appointment. He also surrendered his shareholding of the same company.

“Since 2011 till date, he has had no association, dealings and business transactions with the said company, as he is neither a director nor shareholder of the said company.

“He, therefore, could not have acquired the said property in 2017 either directly or through the said company as being alleged.

“As a matter of fact, Oyetola has no relationship or link with the alleged owner of the property, Mr Kolawole Aluko, let alone go into a business dealing or transaction with him.

“He also complied fully with the law of the land by exiting Global Investments Offshore Limited, as a Director in 2011, upon his appointment as the Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola.

“Oyetola has always shown that he is a man who knows and respects the law in his corporate and political endeavours”, the statement concluded.

BREAKING: Bandits release Matron, 5 more Baptist High School Students

Five kidnapped students of the Baptist High school in Kaduna have been released by Bandits.

The students alongside a matron were released on Friday evening.

A statement signed by the Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention confirmed the development.

“Five of our Bethel Baptist High School students and the Matron (Making 6) have just been released to us this evening, October 8. We thank God and trust that the remaining four students will also be released.”

We Will Assist NDLEA Tackle Drug Abuse In Lagos – Obasa Lagos Assembly Speaker

Speaker Obasa with NDLEA officials led by Ralph Igwenagu

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, has promised that the state legislature will continue to support the fight against drug abuse and its effects on the youths and residents of the state.

Obasa made the promise when he played host to top officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led by its state commander, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu, on Thursday evening.

The Speaker expressed hope that a collective fight against the societal challenge would help to further sustain a safe and well-protected Lagos.
He said he was not surprised that Lagos has been described as one of the epicentres of drug abuse in the country saying with an influx of people from other states, it should be expected.

“I am not disappointed that Lagos has been rated number one. Lagos has become an abode for everybody – the good and the bad – and this has become a challenge to the government.

“That is why it is difficult for the Lagos Government to project. When you project for a certain number of people this year, before you know it, more than three times your projection will enter the state.

“That is why we make efforts to support the Federal Government by equipping the Rapid Response Squad. We also set up the Security Trust Fund, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and others to ensure that lives and property are protected,” he said adding that collaboration by stakeholders was important because the negative effects of drug abuse affects everybody since some engage in criminal activities.

The Speaker commended the NDLEA officials for attending a recent stakeholders’ meeting organised by the House to enlighten residents against drug abuse.

Earlier, Mr. Igwenagu thanked the House for organising the Stakeholders’ meeting saying it helped in reaching the grassroots of the state.
“We want to request that you sustain that exercise. We know that with you, it is possible because members of the House of Assembly are grassroots politicians and can reach out to the youths.

He said Lagos has a fair share of the challenges of drug abuse in Nigeria promising that the NDLEA would continue to work with the House to ensure continuous reduction in cases of drug abuse.

Speaker Obasa, his aides and officials of the CCB

In a related development, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has promised to collaborate with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in Lagos state.
The Speaker said this when Mrs. OK Popoola, State Director of the organisation, led other officials on a visit to the House.

Obasa said the House had always ensured accountability and transparency in all its dealings adding that the need to tackle corruption had resulted in the passage of motions and resolutions.

He said the House recently passed a law against corruption adding that even though some people misinterpreted it, the lawmakers have a consciousness that fighting corruption should be the responsibility of everybody, not just the Federal Government.

Popoola earlier commended the lawmakers for their swift responses to their asset declaration obligations.

She also urged for collaboration between the House and the CCB.

BREAKING: ‘Chinwetalu Agu in DSS custody’ – BBC Journalist

Nigerian writer, Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu who writes under the pen name Mazi Nwonwu, has claimed that veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu is still not a free man.

According to Nwonwu, Agu is presently in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He is with DSS now. Colleagues say they are looking for a top lawyer to bail him,” Nwonwu wrote on his known Facebook page on Friday.

Recall that there were widespread reports on Friday that Agu had been released by the Nigerian Army, following his arrest on Thursday, for wearing Biafra regalia.

Agu was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State. His manhandling and subsequent seizure was strongly condemned by majority of social media users. The army came out to say it arrested Agu for soliciting support for the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

A statement put out by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu had said: “Troops of Nigerian Army (NA) have arrested one Chiwetalu Agu while inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“Dressed in a very well known attire of the proscribed group, Chiwetalu Agu was picked up for questioning while inciting members of the public to join the proscribed group. Though he attempted puting up some resistance when troops made effort to take him into custody, he was not assaulted or subjected to brutalization.

“While the NA recognizes the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is apparently a violation for any individual or group to incite the public to cause mayhem or break down of law and order. It is therefore pertinent to state that while exercising such freedoms, it must be done within the confines of the law, bearing in mind the imperative for peace, and national security.”

But now, a top media practitioner has claimed the entertainer has still not regained freedom.

Bomb Blast Kills 50 Shiite Members During Friday Prayers

No fewer than fifty members of the Shiite group have been reportedly killed in a bomb blast that happened on Friday (today).

According to Naija News, the Muslim worshippers were observing their Jumma’at prayers when the bomb exploded.

No group is yet to claim responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group, Arch-rival of the Taliban, has claimed similar recent atrocities, it was observed.

A yet to be confirmed number of persons were said to have sustained degrees of injuries in the blast which occurred at the Shiite mosque in the Afghan city of Kunduz.

50 Killed in Shiite Mosque Bomb Blast50 Killed in Shiite Mosque Bomb Blast50 Killed in Shiite Mosque Bomb Blast

The incident is observed to be the bloodiest assault in the region since United States forces left the country. There are submissions that the attack could be a design to further destabilize Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban takeover.

A medical source at the Kunduz Provincial Hospital who reportedly gave an insight into the incident said that 35 dead and more than 50 wounded had been taken there, while a worker at a Doctors Without Borders hospital reported 15 dead and scores more wounded.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid had earlier said an unknown number of people had been killed and injured when “an explosion took place in a mosque of our Shiite compatriots” in Kunduz.

AFP reports that residents of Kunduz, the capital of a province of the state, bitterly lamented the incident which happened in the most important of the week for Muslims.

Zalmai Alokzai, a local businessman who rushed to Kunduz Provincial Hospital to check whether doctors needed blood donations, described horrific scenes. He said: “Ambulances were going back to the incident scene to carry the dead.”

“Hundreds of people are gathered at the main gate of the hospital and crying for their relatives but armed Taliban guys are trying to prevent gatherings in case another explosion is planned,” said an international aid worker at the MSF hospital who expressed worries over the death toll rise.

Source: Naijanews