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N109b Fraud: Court Grants Suspended AGF Ahmed Idris, Others Bail

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja , on Thursday, admitted the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and others to bail on several terms and conditions including not leaving the FCT till the end of the case.

On Wednesday, the AGF’s lawyer, Chief Chris Uche SAN, had sought for an order of court granting bail to the first defendant (Idris) applicant pending his trial.

The Economic an Financial Crimes Commission had on July 22 arraigned Idris, Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited before the court, on 14 count charges bordering on gratification, stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109,485,572,691.

But they had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The other defendants also asked for bail.

But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday urged the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja to refuse bail for Idris and others, citing the gravity of their charges against them.

But Justice Adeyemi Ajayi held that the allegations against the defendants were yet to be proven and as such, they are still entitled to bail.

She also said that the EFCC did not prove that they disobeyed any conditions when it gave them administrative bail.

“I am persuaded that there is no other way to go than to follow the rules of law in this process,” she said.

“I hereby admit the defendants to bail,” she said.

She added that the EFCC administrative terms and conditions earlier imposed them continues.

One of the EFCC terms was that they deposit their passports in its custody.

The judge added that they shall not procure alternate passport until the case case is dispensed.

“In addition the defendants shall not leave the jurisdiction of the court and shall remain in Abuja.

“Should they want to leave, they must apply to the court for consent,” she ruled adding that the defendants be remanded at the Kuje Prison until they perfect their bail terms.

President Buhari not aware of threat to kidnap him until I told him – El-rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said President Muhammad Buhari was not aware of bandits’ threat to capture him.

It was that the terrorists on Sunday July 24, 2022, after they had flogged the remaining 43 Abuja-Kaduna train victims in the forest, vowed in a trending video to capture Buhari and El-rufai.

However, Governor El-rufai, while speaking on a Radio Programme, on Wednesday night, said he had been warned to be careful.

“I also heard about a video where they threatened to abduct Buhari and myself. I have been warned to be careful, including my families too,” he said.

According to him, for the past five years, he had been advocating for the bombing of terrorists’ camps wherever they were, adding that it was the only solution to the problem.

El-rufai said, “This is why I met with the president on Sunday and told him about these problems. I also told him about the video because up to that day, he was not even aware. I told him and the following day, Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle also confirmed to him that he saw the video too, so as to take action.”

According to him, the President assured him that he met with the service chiefs 3-4 days before the meeting and that he gave them a clear directive to have a comprehensive military operation to deal with those people.

He added that “we hope, God willing, the soldiers and the police that were given the directives will hasten up to finish the job. We don’t have to wait until they (terrorists) strike before we respond.

“They (soldiers) must go after them wherever they are to deal with them. The truth is we are worried about the security situation, but we hope the federal government will do the right thing.”

Arsenal Demolish Chelsea In Pre-Season Match

Premier League side, Arsenal in the early hours of Sunday defeated thier opponent, Chelsea 4-0 in a pre-season friendly in Florida, Unites States of America.
Gabriel Jesus, who only joined Arsenal from Manchester City earlier this month, continued his impressive pre-season form with another goal during the encounter.

Jesus took his goal tally to four goals in three games for his new club in a clinical win for the Gunners in front of 63,811 fans at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.

It was another encouraging performance for Mikel Arteta’s side, who took control of the game with two first-half goals after dominating the opening 45 minutes.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel could not hide his anger during a lacklustre first-half display from his team, who were repeatedly exposed by Arsenal’s nimble counter-attacking.

The Blues had one promising attack after five minutes when new signing Raheem Sterling played Timo Werner into space, but French defender William Saliba snuffed out the danger with a solid covering tackle.

Arsenal should have opened the scoring moments later, when Gabriel Martinelli burst clear on the counter.

The Brazilian passed to Bukayo Saka but the English international’s shot was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The Arsenal pressure finally told in the 15th minute with a goal that came after Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chalobah surrendered possession with a misplaced pass that went straight to Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss international played a superb first time ball into Jesus who coolly chipped over the advancing Mendy to make it 1-0.

Martin Odegaard made it 2-0 to the Gunners in the 36th minute with another well-worked move.

Martinelli’s pass found the Norwegian playmaker in space inside the Chelsea area, and the attacking midfielder turned smoothly and tucked a low finish past Mendy.

Chelsea’s best chance of a lacklustre half came in stoppage time when Mason Mount curled a shot from the edge of the area which beat Aaron Ramsdale but crashed back off a post.

Arsenal extended their lead midway through the second half when Saka buried a rebound from close range after Mendy parried Xhaka’s long-range strike.

Arsenal continued to create chances but had to wait until injury time for their fourth goal when Albert Sambi Lokonga headed past Mendy after a superb cross from the right by Portuguese international Cedric.

BREAKING: United Nations Orders Buhari Govt To Immediately Release IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu

The United Nations, UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, has ordered for the immediate release of of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The UN indicted both Nigeria and Kenya Governments for the arrest and extraordinary rendition, torture and continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu without due process.

More details to come…

‘You Know Nothing About Nigeria’— Atiku Hits Back At Sowore Over $16bn Power Sector Embezzlement Claims

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has replied Omoyole Sowore who is also contesting for the country’s top job in 2023 saying the African Action Congress presidential candidate does not understand how the Nigerian power sector works.

Atiku reacted in an interview on Arise Tv monitored by THE WHISTLER.

Atiku had on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 criticised the country’s energy crisis particularly, the collapse of the national grid for the sixth time in 2022.

He had tweeted, “I am reliably informed that there was a total National Grid Collapse at precisely 12:23pm today. This is one collapse too many. It is the 6th time this is happening this year alone.”

Sowere however accused the presidential candidate of spending $16bn to procure darkness for Nigerians.

“The National Electrical grid collapse started when you and Obasanjo invested $16bn to procure darkness for Nigeria, the @MBuhari regime came to gazette grid collapse as a law. Alhaji @atiku, don’t pretend that you care about the National Grid!” Sowore had replied.

Industry data from the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja showed that power generation on the grid had reached a peak of 4,091.6MW on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

It plunged to 3,921.8MW on Wednesday morning and later crashed to about 50MW leading to the collapse of the National grid.

But Atiku admitted that transmission was at 4,000MW before the government started investing $16bn in the power generation project. He blamed the failure to improve power supply on the distribution companies (DisCos).

“He is opponent what do you expect him to say? He has all along lived outside this country, he doesn’t even know the policy we implemented and even the policy initiative. When we came in, the total generation was about 4000MW, we initiated the building of nine additional power stations.

“By the time those nine were finished, the capacity had gone up from four to about 13,000MW, but unfortunately, there was no corresponding increase as far as the transmission lines are concerned,” the former VP said.

He argued that when the transmission cannot evacuate the generation, “there is no way they will not collapse, so they kept on collapsing.”

The PDP flag bearer explained that the “nine additional power stations were completed by (Goodluck) Jonathan. Umaru (Musa Yar’Adua) was on it, he died and Jonathan continued and he completed them.”

“He (Sowore) doesn’t even know. What does Sowore know about this country? Nothing.”

Atiku also said during their tenure which ended 2007, he advised President Olusegun Obasanjo on the decentralization of power generation and transmission.

Atiku also revealed that his foreign exchange policy will be different from what is currently obtainable under the President Buhari administration.

Naira has depreciated to N635 per dollar at the parallel market, while the official Central Bank rate is N415.9 to the dollar.

The PDP candidate said the best possible option is to converge the parallel market rate and the official rate, a move he believes would solve the forex crisis.

“Exchange rate is CBN’s policy. I’m not expected to interfere in such, but what I expect to see is a convergence of the CBN exchange rate as well as the parallel market rate.

“I’m a market-oriented person. I believe in the forces of the market. This is what I expect the CBN to achieve- convergence of the exchange rate.”

Osun: I’m Not An APC Member, I Only Work For The APC Government – Femi Adesina

The special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina has denied being a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adesina on Thursday submitted that APC is only his preferred party but he is not a member of the party, adding that he is a Buharist as well.

Naija News reports he made the stand known in an article released on Thursday in which he reacted to those calling him out after the APC lost the July 16 governorship election in his home state of Osun.

It will be recalled the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke on Saturday, defeated the incumbent governor and candidate of the APC, Gboyega Oyetola.

This led many to start calling out APC stalwarts from the state including Adesina on how they couldn’t deliver their very own state.

However, Adesina on Thursday in an article titled ‘OSUN: BUHARI DOES IT AGAIN’ said though he would have preferred Oyetola as his preferred candidate to win the election, he is not a stakeholder in the Osun election as people painted it to be.

In his words, “I’m also a Buharist, a firm believer in the ideals of that honest man, the Mai Gaskiya from Daura, in Katsina State, though I am not a registered member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“It was, therefore, laughable for some people to try and rope me into Osun State politics, as the gubernatorial election held last Saturday. First, they came up with the news that Femi Adesina had lost his ward to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Which Femi Adesina. Me? Or another one? Do you lose what you don’t participate in?”

He further clarified that contrary to insinuations that the PDP defeated the ruling party in his ward, the APC actually won in his ward.

“Out of curiosity, I checked. The APC had, indeed, won my ward, in the Post Office area of Ipetumodu by 176 to PDP’s 130 votes. But it didn’t matter. It just shows how heinous and petty some people can be,” he added.

On his membership of the APC, Adesina said while he is sympathetic to the party, he is not a registered member of the APC and those calling him out after the party’s loss in Saturday’s governorship election should be properly guided.

“My position is this. I work for an APC government, and it is my preferred party. But member? Not so. I have always rooted for good APC candidates and I would have loved if Governor Gboyega Oyetola had won in Osun last weekend,” he declared.

Adesina also added that he would most likely never be a member of the APC.

“Yes, APC is my preferred party, but I’m not a member, and won’t likely be, with my eyes set on farming and media work after leaving government service,” he added.

Buhari Govt To Spend N30.2 bn On NASS Complex Rehabilitation

The Muhammadu Buhari-led government is set to spend the sum of N30.222 billion to rehabilitate the National Assembly Complex.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Musa Bello, said this on Thursday during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on FCT to various project sites being constructed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA) in Abuja.

Bello said the cost approval of NASS complex rehabilitation by President Muhammadu Buhari was N37 billion which was included in the 2020 budget of the Federal Capital Development Administration.

He said the amount was downwardly reviewed to N9.25 billion in the revised 2020 budget to enable the FCDA to pay contractors, leaving a balance of N21.025 billion.

According to him, the total cost of rehabilitation work which stood at N30,229, 290,830.35 billion was not part of the National Assembly’s annual budget of N128 billion as insinuated in some quarters.

He also disclosed that the contract, which was awarded on 30th December 2021, has a completion period of two years.

He stated that the National Assembly Phase II, popularly known as “the White House” was realised from 1996 to 1999 by ITB Nigeria Ltd without any major rehabilitation works carried out on the building over the years.

Speaking on other projects embarked upon by the administration, the Minister said the Federal Secretariat complex and the construction of the Southern parkway from Christian Center to ring road had commenced.

He said other projects are rehabilitation of the expansion of Outer Southern Expressway, provision of engineering infrastructure for Wuye District, rehabilitation and expansion of Outer Southern Expressway Villa Roundabout and completion of B6, B12 and Circle Road in Central Area.

The Minister pointed out how the FCDA decided to prioritize key projects due to paucity of funds, but assured that all projects which were ongoing would be completed in record time.

Bello further indicated that the ministry is determined to ensure that a number of projects are completed before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

On his part, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT Senator Tolu Odebiyi (APC Ogun-East), who led the committee members, expressed happiness with the quality of the projects being constructed.

“We believe that in the twilight of this administration, in the next month, it is important we catalogue all the projects that are being done and prioritize the ones that must be completed before the end of this term.

“This is so that we can also make sure we provide the adequate funding and budget for it.

“Their budget is going to be forwarded to us very shortly and it is important we come and see the state of the work and the completion rate of the programme before we take them on,” he said.

Nigeria Needs Competent Hand and not Religion Inclined Leader – Prophet Israel of Genesis Global

… Lambast Christians Leaders Who are Causing Religious Divide in the Country

“According to the Bible, when God created Adam he did not create him a Christian or Muslim he only created him a man. Since both the Christian and Muslim believe in the Adamic creation it is surprising how those who are supposed to be unifying us through the teachings of the Bible are now trying to separate us hiding under Christianity” This are the words of Prophet Israel Oladele of the Genesis Global Church recently in Lagos.

The renowned prophet in a statement made known by his media aide Oluwaseun Fabiyi, expressed his shock at how some Pastors people are looking up to has thrown the teachings of the Bible to the trash for the teaching of self-interest, and are in the process causing disunity amongst the same people God wants them to unite.

Not taking away the fact that Pastors are also human but Prophet Genesis as he is fondly called is of the belief that the public utterances of most of this supposed spiritual head reeks more of carnality than spirituality it was supposed to be. He was of the belief that reasoning of people in such a position should not only be spiritual but also intellectually sound.

He cited the fact that rather than make religious pronouncements on issues that can further disintegrate the country the candidates should be asked how the interest and conditions of living of the people will be protected and bettered.

In reference to the unveiling event that took place in Abuja on Wednesday, Genesis questioned the decision of the supposed spiritual leaders, CAN leadership and others, why they did not use the event to ask salient questions of the APC candidates as regards to the position of the Christians.

Against the believe that any Christian that supports Tinubu has been paid, Prophet Israel Genesis states “I can say this on the podium anywhere, and I have said it severally in the past and I will never desist but rather continue saying it, No Politicians or Nigerian leaders has ever gave me money to voice out, likewise I’m not advocating for Celestial body neither CAN but rather agitating/advocating for the Nigerian Youths because I’m a Nigerian and a vibrant youth prophet of God and I am entitled to my opinion. I’m not bothered if anybody decides to take this piece personal or read it out of context as the fact remains; truth is always bitter.”

The prophet stated further that he’s not afraid of letting people know of his Muslim background which he would never kick against as we are all same Nigerians and God’s hand made.

The World Famous Prophet, Israel Genesis Global also made it known to his media aide that he would rather die in Speaking the truth always than to live in telling lies as he promised never to relent in preaching the truth to the whole world.

Huawei, partners organize job fair for Nigerian youths

As part of its talent cultivation strategy, Huawei Technologies (Nigeria) Limited is set to host a job fair for Nigerian youths.

The job fair, scheduled to hold on the 3rd of August, 2022 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja is intended to attract, qualified candidates for job opportunities in IP technologies, Information Technologies, Channel management, Programming, Data Engineering, Account Management, Delivery Management, Procurement, Channel Sales and others.

This will afford candidates the opportunity to listen and connect to prospective employers. Recruiters would be looking out for Huawei certified applicants, experienced applicants, Interns and graduate trainees. The company says this is also open to NYSC members needing a place of primary assignment.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and most populated country with great potentials for development, especially in ICT. The ICT sector is crucial to it’s national growth, a strong tool for sustainable development, increasing productivity and Economic expansion.

The job fair is intended to attract, qualified candidates for job opportunities, in IP technologies, Information Technologies, Channel management, Programming, Data Engineering, Account Management, Delivery Management, Procurement, Channel Sales and others.

Companies in attendance will include Huawei, its partners, customers and contractors. This is one of the profound components of Huawei skills development strategy and the youths are urged to seize the opportunity by ensuring that they market themselves and showcase their potentials.

The Job Fair is an important part of the Huawei talent ecosystem development strategy which aims at developing talents, promoting a favorable business environment and strengthening partnership within the industry.

A key aspect of ICT development in Nigeria is the cultivation of ICT talents in all industries. Looking to bridge the gap between Industry requirements and the Academia, Huawei continually leverages on the technologies, knowledge, experience, and successful practices it has gained over years of operations in the ICT industry to cultivate more high-quality ICT talent. Huawei does this through building sustainable partnership between the Industries, Government and the Academia.

As part of this, Nigeria’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy recently partnered with Huawei towards developing ICT Talents by signing an MOU with the Ministry of Communications and digital economy to train 3,000 students in ICT thereby expanding the digital economy. This is done through different initiatives, one of which is the Huawei ICT Academy which has partnered with over 100 educational institutions in Nigeria, including Ahmadu Bello University, University of Port Harcourt, University of Ibadan, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and other renowned institutions.

‘Inhumanity To Man’- Abia State College of Education Staff Lament Non-Payment Of 29 Months Salary Arrears

The College of Education Association Staff Union, COEASU, has vowed to continue with the ongoing industrial action following the non- payment of 29 months salary arrears owed staff of the Abia State College of Education Technical Arochukwu, by the State government.

The union, after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, said staff of the institution live in deplorable condition due to non-payment of their salary arrears.

In an interview with THE WHISTLER on Wednesday, Chairman COEASU, Abia State College of Education Technical Arochukwu chapter, Comrade Kevin O Egesi, revealed that the nonchalant attitude of the state government towards teacher education was condemnable.

The union further accused the college management of refusal to promote staff for more than 7 year and to implement financial increment from 2008 till date.

He said: “In the meeting held on 19th July, 2022 the National Executive Council of COEASU agreed to continue with the strike action going on in the Colleges. Agreed to meet again in three weeks time.

“Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu staff are in a very deep suffering because of 29 months salary arrears owed to them. Abia State Government’s nonchalant attitude towards teacher education development and non release of subvension to the college have killed many staff, rendered many homeless and scattered many families. What is our offence in working for the state.

“The college management refused to promote staff for more than 7 years and also refused to implement financial increment from 2008 till date. Non- remittance of deducted union check-off dues by the management to cripple the union is a big offence. And the continuing deduction of staff salary by 15% for more than 2 years now. What a management, man inhumanity to man.

“Based on all these plight and suffering of the workers, strike continues in Asceta till all our demands are done.We will all see light at the end of the tunnel. Aluta continua”.

Recall that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on Tuesday withdrew the accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, for failing to pay staff salaries and allowances for over 30 months.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, a spokesperson for NBTE, Fatima Abubakar, said the accreditation was withdrawn because the polytechnic had not shown any commitment to offset the arrears and ensure regular payment of salaries.