Oshiomhole Revealed How INEC Connived With Gov Udom Emmanuel To Rig Out Akapabio

As claims and counter-claims continue to trail last weekend’s presidential and NASS polls, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole has stated that INEC connived with the Akwa Ibom state government to rig Senator Godswill Akpabio out.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, he said the electoral umpire deliberately employed government officials as election agents with instructions to deliver victory to PDP candidates.

According to Dailypost report,  Oshiomhole said elections in Akwa Ibom state were not close to free and fair, stating that the APC has evidence of altered figures of senatorial election results that affected the former Minority leader of the Nigerian Senate.

His words, “Akpabio was rigged in the last week’s elections. How would one explain altered figures against Akpabio which we have in our custody?

“The Independent National Electoral Commission in Akwa Ibom employed Akwa Ibom state officials as electoral officers who manipulated figures against opponents.

“They keep manipulating and adjusting figures until they are satisfied that Akpabio was defeated before submitting results to INEC,” he claimed.

Oshiomhole further revealed that APC has already petitioned INEC, expressing optimism that with time, justice would prevail in the matter.

NDDC BOSS, BRAMBAIFA, COMMENDS INEC FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS, CALLS FOR URGENT WORK TO DEVELOP THE NIGER DELTA

The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting peaceful elections in his community, Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, despite reports of disturbances across the country.

Prof. Brambaifa said through a statement signed his Special Assistant on Media, Ayebakuro Igbeta, that his he was particularly happy that he performed his civic duties, alongside his wife, Dr. Anna Brambaifa, at their Town Hall Polling Unit 2, Agbere.

According to him, “I was particularly encouraged by the large turnout of voters, stating that the "people showed that they are politically conscious and are determined to play a role towards the development of the area and fostering regional peace and security."

Furthermore, He said: "My mandate at the NDDC is to facilitate the development of our people in the Niger Delta Region, to improve their living conditions, to bring peace and security to the Niger Delta, following the example laid down by the Federal Government and these I and the executive management are determined to do."

Prof. Brambaifa called on all Niger Deltans to eschew political differences and contribute to making the region a better place, stating that the poor state of affairs in the Niger Delta seemed to always make youths restless in the communities. 

"Our communities according to him, are in dire need of our intervention”, "So our urgent commitment is to work together, as leaders of the region and our people, to change their fortunes, improve their lives and fulfil their dreams of a better region."

He said that the elections had come and gone and "we must return to our duty to work for the benefit of our people."

Akpabio Shouldn’t Be Single Out in Votes Revalidation in Akwa Ibom

Senator Godswill Akpabio, representing Akwa Ibom North West in the Senate, has asked the Resident Election Commission for the state, Mike Igini not to single him out for revalidation of votes cast in Essien Udim.
In a statement, Monday, he said: “It has come to our notice that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, has said that the total votes cast for Senator Godswill Akpabio in his home local government area, Essien Udim, should be subjected to a revalidation by using the Card Reader.
“This is a welcome development. But we would insist that the exercise be replicated in all the three senatorial districts in the State and should apply to all candidates irrespective of their party affiliation.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio should therefore not be isolated for this investigation by INEC if it wants to maintain its impartial status.
“It is also a known principle that all laws must have universal application, as whoever goes to equity must go with clean hands.”

NDDC Acting MD, Prof Nelson Brambaifa Welcomed Home With Fanfare

The Ag. MD/CEO of the NDDC, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, was welcomed home by his Agbere community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as he returned to participate in the general elections. 

           

Contrary to reports circulated in some uncertified online media recently, the people received Prof. Brambaifa with an overflow of love and solidarity, dancing and drumming alongside his motorcade as their illustrious son and father returned to perform his civic duties.

One of the youths, Phil Arepadei, said the NDDC boss "has over the years earned his place as a true and beloved son of Agbere Community" in in the oil rich Tarakiri Kingdom, and deserved all the accolades. 

Only last week it was reported that persons perceived to be mischief makers "and agents of hatred" had vowed to stop at nothing to frustrate the Ag. MD/CEO of the NDDC during the elections and to cause division and rancor amongst the peace loving people of Agbere Community.

But the people opened their arms, declaring that Prof. Brambaifa was poised to transform their Community through intervention projects from the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed him recently. 

"This is the most important recognition of an Agbere son in recent memory, if not ever," another community leader, Mr.Ebimowei Gesikeme, said. "President Buhari has shown love to our community and we know that NDDC will change our fortunes by bringing development to our people. We must show him love during these elections."

Reacting to the applauding party, Prof. Brambaifa expressed his joy and gratitude to his people, saying: "You have shown me great love and support. I will do everything I can, within the ambits of the law, to show you that I love Agbere and that I am proud to belong to you."

He thereafter invited everyone to his home, declaring that despite political differences, they were all one. Brambaifa promised that he "and the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain committed to consolidating on democratic rule in Nigeria, and advised that "voters should conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner as they go out to cast votes for their preferred candidates."

"Of course, my preferred candidate is President Muhammadu Buhari," he joked.

Buhari To Nigerians: Do Not Allow Anyone To Discourage You, Go Out And Vote

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged the electorate on the need to honor their civic duty as voters by going to the polls on Saturday to vote for candidates of their choice.

The president, in a nationwide broadcast on Friday in Abuja, said eligible voters were duty bound to participate in electing a government that would lead Nigeria to its finest destiny.

He said that the call had become imperative in view of the fact that “elections are the cornerstone of representative governance and voting constitutes the highest and best expression of the sovereign will of the people to choose the government that best represents them”.

According to the president, it is only upon the freely expressed will of the people that government truly dedicated to the welfare, rights and interests of the people can be founded. The president stressed that voting means that the citizens believe in Nigeria and the excellent things the future holds for the nation and its people. Therefore, he called on the electorate not to allow anyone to discourage them from exercising their rights as citizens and voters on Saturday. Buhari further urged prospective voters not to be afraid of rumours of violence and unrest, saying that the nation’s security agencies would ensure that adequate security measures were in place.

“Tomorrow is an encounter with history in which you, the people, shall affirm your collective belief in our national greatness and in our future.

 “I ask that you embrace and hold on to the importance of the moment soon to be upon us.

 “As citizens there is no greater duty than this and no greater honour. Tomorrow, I know you will once again make Nigeria proud of its people.

 “Do not allow anyone to discourage you from the exercise of your rights as citizens and voters tomorrow (Saturday).

 “No matter our political leanings, we all believe in Nigeria, in the noble principles for which it stands and in the values we strive for our beloved nation to uphold.

 “All who are able must vote so that we may better perfect this democracy and continue to build the greater nation we seek.’’

The president emphasized that his administration had put in place adequate security measures that would enable the electorate to vote in an atmosphere of openness and peace, devoid of fear from threat or intimidation. Buhari reassured the International and domestic monitors as well as observers of their safety and freedom of movement while performing their important functions.

 “As we thank domestic monitors and observers for their contributions to our democracy, we also thank the international groups for the friendship and concern they have demonstrated to our nation.

 “We appreciate their efforts in encouraging us to further entrench and strengthen our democracy,’’ he maintained.

Weststar Set To Introduce The New A-Class Sedan

Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its compact car portfolio with the introduction of the A-Class Sedan, following suit with the likes of the A-Class, CLA & GLA. Mercedes-Benz’s compact car segment is already fast growing with the acquisition of new customer groups from different regions around the world. This has aided Weststar’s resolve to attract different customer groups in Nigeria who look to enjoy the best driving experience regardless of their automobile preferences.

Due to an increase in demand, the A-Class is for the first time also offered as a sedan. This follows up the successful launch of the new A-Class last year that pushed boundaries in major markets. The A-Class Sedan comes with a modern and superior sporty design, an unrivaled experience with MBUX, Intelligent Drive functions from the S-Class, a completely redefined interior design and optional equipment and appointments like KEYLESS-GO with HANDS-FREE ACCESS.

The exterior of the A-Class Sedan exudes a modern and a superior sporty design. The front end takes a very progressive look with the low, elongated bonnet, the slimline headlamps with chrome element, the torch-like daytime driving lights - plus the single-louvre diamond radiator grille with optional chrome pins, and the central star. The side mirrors sit on the beltline, while the 16 to 19-inch wheels and the pronounced wheel arches give the A-Class Sedan a sporty stance on the road. On the rear end there are two-part tail lamps that emphasizes width, the rear reflectors have been relocated to the modular two-part rear bumper and depending on the selected equipment, this rear bumper is available with a black diffuser or with chrome trim strip and chrome tailpipe tips. The MULTIBEAM LED headlamps are another highlight, they allow extremely quick and precise, electronically controlled adjustment of the headlamps to suit the current traffic situation. Each headlamp features 18 individually actuated LEDs.
The inside of the A-Class Sedan comes in a modern and avant-garde look emphasizing a revolution from within. The dashboard gets a completely new and avant-garde design, with a cowl above the cockpit and the wing-shaped main body of the dashboard extending from one front door to the other with no visual discontinuity. Also the optional Widescreen display is completely free-standing and the air vents come in a sporty turbine look. An optional equipment is the ambient lighting with 64 colours, it comes with even more variety as well as an emotive presence. The A-Class Sedan also highlights spaciousness as a key feature of its interior offering great utility. This includes above-average shoulder, elbow and headroom plus the easy access to the rear. It is at the top of its segment with regard to rear headroom (944 mm). The boot holds 420 litres and was designed for practical usability. The A-Class Sedan can be customised with the design and equipment lines Style, Progressive and AMG Line, with the Night Package as well as further optional equipment.
The A-Class Sedan has been introduced to the market with the A200 petrol engine. It comes with a 1.3 liter M282 engine producing a power output of 120 kW (163 hp) and a torque of 250 Nm. Power is transmitted by the 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission, this system is an automated three-shaft manual transmission consisting of two subtransmissions, each with its own clutch. This allows a particularly comfortable but nevertheless dynamic mode of driving.
The A-Class Sedan keeps up the pace with technology from the A-Class, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) comes as a standard equipment. The major highlight of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX is customizable and adapts to the user. Other key highlights of MBUX include; the widescreen cockpit, touchscreen, navigation services, smartphone integration, vehicle set up app, LINGUATRONIC voice control, LTE communications module for Mercedes me connect services and Burmester surround sound system.

The Intelligent drive system is another technological innovation in the A-Class Sedan. This comes with the very latest driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support, and thus provides the highest level of active safety in this segment with functions adopted from the S-Class. For instance, the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is able to provide route-based support to the driver in numerous situations, and to predictively and conveniently adjust the speed when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. While the expanded Active Brake Assist can effectively help to mitigate the consequences of rear-end collisions with slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles ahead. Another highlight is PRE-SAFE PLUS, which can recognise an imminent rear-end collision. If the danger of a collision persists, the system can also firmly apply the brakes of the stationary vehicle, thus minimizing the risk of injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by an impact from the rear.
Mr. Mirko Plath, Managing Director, Weststar Associates Limited, has described the growing compact car family as a step in the right direction from Mercedes-Benz. He also pointed out that the A-Class Sedan would serve more customer groups and that owning a Mercedes-Benz would be more attractive for the younger generation with the emotive and technological appeal of the MBUX, the modern design of the A-Class Sedan, the latest driving assistance systems and a very competitive entry price.
The compact car family of Mercedes-Benz has continued its growth in the Nigerian market with the A-Class Sedan set for its arrival. This follows the successful introduction of the new A-Class last year. Weststar Associates Limited, authorized General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria will introduce the A-Class Sedan by May, 2019. 

Akpabio To Nigerians: Re-Elect Buhari For Continuity

The National Coordinator, Presidential Support Committee, Senator Godswill Akpabio has insisted that considering the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari -led administration in office, Nigeria has no other better alternative than to give him another term.

Akpabio, who spoke with Journalists in Abuja, urged the South-South people to reconsider their stand in planning to vote for the party that wants to sell the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), and its other assets.

Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential Candidate, has vowed to sell the NNPC, if voted into power, to break what he called ‘mafia’ in the corporation.

But Senator Akpabio said it will not be in the interest of the Niger Delta people for NNPC to be sold.

“Yes I believe Nigerians can compare the difference between apple and orange. The reality is that this president has done very well considering the fact that he was able to take Nigeria out of recession.

“He met ongoing projects on ground, such as the airports and the railways. He completed and put them to use. Nigerians are clamoring for change, better health care, better educational facilities and all those things cannot happen when you spend almost 80 percent of resources on recurring expenses like pension, salary arrears.

“So we must commend the President and of course, if you take a look at what is happening on the Lagos-Ibadan railway, you will be very impressed. Take a look at the Abuja-Kano railway, some people now travel with rail to the North.

“The power sector has improved from 2,500MW to 7000MW. So many things are visible and the enabling environment is there in terms of law and order. The fight against corruption has really been intensified and the good thing is that it has now become a deterrent to any public official that yes…, if you go out of your way to move your pocket forward instead of your country or state, you will be held accountable.

“We in the Niger Delta are very apprehensive. I don’t think that there is any person in the South South who will go and vote for PDP. Even some of them are trying to purchase votes because when you look at the major policy document of the PDP today, they are talking about selling the NNPC.

“What does the NNPC have? Is it the building? What NNPC controls is the oil of the Niger Delta, oil wells, oil fields and all those things come together with the land. I don’t see anybody from the South South or any Niger Deltan, who will agree that the same way we sold out Nigeria Airways and we became a laughing stock in the comity of states in Africa is the same way NNPC should be sold.

“Look at Kenya Airways, Ethopia Airline, Ghana Airline, South African Airways and Nigeria has no single plane now called its own. We sold out our Aluminium Smelter Company in Ikot Abasi, that provided thousands of jobs and today that place is totally bare with over 690MW of electricity.

“We sold out Oku Iboku Paper Mill in Akwa Ibom and our people are there jobless. That massive structure is a waste. All those things combined are things that frighten us when somebody talks about the sale of NNPC. The sale of NNPC on its own simply means that the Niger Deltans are going to be divested of not just their properties, not just the water that they fish in, but the fact that they will become tenants in their lands for the next 50 to 100 years. And people will come from outside, maybe friends of the government, and possess their land.

“The election also is between integrity and others. The President has shown that he can give what belongs to Niger Delta to Niger Delta. He is even refunding monies that were used during my tenure to repair Federal roads and what we use to call Paris Club refund.

“We tried everything under the PDP. We never had that money and I was a Governor and the FG was owing my state over 145 Billion on federal roads and the building of prisons and other things I had to intervene. I dualized federal roads, built airport and today, federal government is refunding those monies to the state.

“If you see a government that has shown sincerity, it simply means that we are now talking about a question of integrity and a question of postulation. We are postulating that if you bring in a government that will sell your father’s land, that will sell your oil wells and sell the waters that you use in fishing, then I can conclude that there is no alternative to President Buhari.”

ADVERTORIAL; Let’s Pause And Reflect

The text of a press conference held in Uyo by the Forum of All Political Parties in Akwa Ibom State, following the postponement of the 16 February 2019 elections

Gentlemen of the Press,

As you may all be aware, the general elections that were to kick off on Saturday, 16 February 2019 have been moved forward by one week. The rescheduling came as a surprise and with a huge cost to us; we were ready as a party for the elections. INEC has said the elections were postponed to get the logistics right in order to deliver a free, fair and transparent elections. In light of the explanation by INEC, we as Political Parties have accepted the cost incurred as a necessary sacrifice for the good of our democracy.
Let us take the advantage of this pause on the road to thank God whose grace and protection have seen us thus far in the Akwa Ibom Project.

We want to also thank the good people of Akwa Ibom in general and members and supporters of our parties in particular who have remained loyal to the cause in the past months in spite of many challenges as we keep up the good fight to recover and redeem our dear state. We urge them to remain mobilized and ready until the job is done.
We want to take note of the work of members of the security services and urge them to exercise professionalism in the discharge of their duties in the state.
Permit us to place on record the support of leaders of our various Parties. Their support in the form of good counsel and contributions in material terms have helped the us to cope with many hurdles that have confronted the parties in the cause of this project. However, many challenges remain and must be addressed for us to achieve our set objectives.

INEC AND THE IMPERATIVE OF FAIR UMPIRE

We have had cause in the immediate past to call attention to the failure of the INEC leadership in the state to inspire the confidence of all parties in the political process by reason of the actions of the Commission and the utterances of its leaders.
INEC has betrayed unbridled partisanship through the selection of its ad hoc staff, some of whom are drawn from the employees of the Commission, contrary to extant practices and institutional requirements.
Through connivance with the state government, all the ad hoc staff of the Commission is made up of loyal members and supporters of the PDP.
In addition, the Commission has acted as though it were part of the Government House in Uyo. In spite of our representations to the head office of the Commission in Abuja, nothing has been done to allay our concern that the INEC office in Akwa Ibom State is not a fair umpire and cannot deliver a free, fair and transparent election because it is partisan and in bed with the ruling PDP government in the state. This anomaly must be addressed.

SECURITY THREAT

Just as we warned of the partisanship of the election umpire, we had raised the alarm that the PDP and the state government stockpiled arms and recruited thugs and terrorists to be used to rig the elections. What happened on the eve of the now rescheduled 16 February 2019 elections proved beyond reasonable doubt that the alarm we raised was not unfounded. On the eve of the first scheduled sets of elections, the Police arrested more than 500 thugs in various parts of the state. Confessions by the captured criminals showed clearly that they were brought into the state from other parts of the country by PDP politicians. The thugs were arrested with sophisticated arms and ammunitions.
At this point, we want to register our appreciation to the security forces who averted a bloodbath through their quick and precision strike to neutralize the threat posed by the infiltration of the dangerous criminals into the state by leaders of the PDP.
However, our concern over security as we approach the rescheduled election is more structural. Field reports from our men on the eve of the rescheduled elections show that there were no visible deployments of security forces in the state. This smacks of sabotage. What was worse, the state Commissioner of Police actually disarmed the tactical command of the Force and redeployed them elsewhere. That kind of inadequate attention to security at a critical period like election season is an open invitation to trouble from elements such as thugs and anti-social elements who flooded the state on the eve of the elections.

1000 VOTE DEFENDERS

We want to call attention of the security agencies and members of the public in general to the open boast by the State Governor, a boast well reported in the mainstream media, that he had made provisions for ‘1000 vote defenders’ for each polling unit during the elections. Since the state has 2980 polling units, the governor would have to use ‘2,980,000 vote defenders.’ I want to ask the security agencies and the public at large to see the connection between that boast by the governor and the flooding of the state on the eve of the rescheduled elections with thugs and terrorists imported from other states in the nation. It is common knowledge that most of the polling units in the state cannot boast more than 500 people. So where was the governor going to get his ‘1000 vote defenders’ from? The answer to that query lies in the importation of thousands of thugs and terrorists into the state by the PDP government. The Udom Emmanuel administration is thus a direct threat to the sanctity of the forthcoming elections and therefore to our democracy. Given the immunity enjoyed by the governor until he leaves office, we call for immediate arrest and prosecution of all those who work with him to endanger the state with industrial scale importation of nearly three million thugs and terrorists deceitfully spoken of as ‘vote defenders.’

PROSECUTION

We demand a thorough investigation of those thugs with the purpose of determining who brought them into the state. We also demand that the criminals and their sponsors should be promptly prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of the land.

NEED TO BEEF UP SECURITY

Given the unprecedented security threat in the immediate build-up to and during the first scheduled elections, the need to enhance security to avert a bloodbath in the state and guarantee free and fair elections cannot be overstated. We are therefore calling on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the DSS to take a peculiar look at Akwa Ibom State, and accordingly beef up security in the state with more police personnel, more DSS operatives and more armed forces personnel. The level of threat in Akwa Ibom State, given the number of thugs arrested on the eve of the first scheduled elections, shows that we cannot make too much provision for security in the state.

EFCC AND CASH SEIZURE

We received report that during the week leading to the first scheduled elections, the EFCC intercepted a cash haul of N1.3 billion moved from the state government accounts at Heritage Bank, intended to be used to bribe INEC officials and for vote buying in some parts of the state. We call on the EFCC to clear the air on this report.

VOTE BUYING BY STATE GOVERNMENT

As reported under the EFCC cash seizure above, the State Government is using state funds to indulge heavily in the criminal practice of vote buying at N10,000 per voter in all the 2,980 polling units in the state.
In addition to the general vote buying, the State Government is busy mopping up PVCs in opposition strongholds through mindless financial inducement of voters to part with their voter’s cards at the rate of N50,000 per card.
We are hereby calling on all Akwa Ibom people not to sell their PVCs. The PVCs represent your power to change a government that has not helped you in any way and replace it with a government that will support your business, invest in your child’s education with bursary award and develop your communities.
We also want to call on the security forces to go after the criminals who are disenfranchising innocent voters by taking away their PVCs through a trick of a financial inducement.
Gentlemen of the Press, before we end this conference let me thank you too for your professionalism in reporting the events and issues that shape this election process. Your job is not yet done. We therefore look up to you for continuing show of professionalism in your work as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
Again, we thank all stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom Project. Let’s continue to work together until the set task of rescuing our dear state from crass ineptitude is achieved.

Long live Forum of All Political Parties!!
Long live Akwa Abasi Ibom State!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

Signed:
Association of Registered Political Parties in Akwa Ibom State

Ecobank Manager Sent To Prison Over N411m Fraud

  

Justice Ayotunde Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded in prison a Manager with the Ecobank Plc, Ifeanyi Chukwu Azike, for allegedly defrauding some of the bank’s customers of N411 million.

The Ecobank manager was ordered remanded in prison on Tuesday after his arraignment on a three count-charge of obtaining money under false pretence, false representation and fraud by the Police Special Fraud Unit.

Azike was accused of having committed the offence 2016 and 2017.

The police claimed that he fraudulently obtained the sum of about N150 million from one Okafor Ikenna Kelvin, a customer with Account number 0533010936, under the false pretence of buying him Federal Government Treasury Bill in his Bank.

The police also alleged that the accused forged the customer’s Signature, Picture and Letter of Instruction, with which he opened a parallel account as Ikenna Okafor Kelvin with account number 5333063028.

The police further alleged that the accused person without the consent of the bank fraudulently converted the sum of N411 million belonging to the bank to his personal use.
The offences, according to the prosecutor, Daniel Apochi, are contrary to sections 1 (1) (a), 15(1)(2) and 15(2)of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud related Offence Act No. 14 of 2006, and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

Apochi said the offence is contrary to and punishable under section 1(2)(2) of the miscellaneous Act. Cap. M17, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).The charge against him reads: “That you lfeanyi Chukwu Azike ’M’ sometime in 2016 and 2017, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N150,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) from Mr Okafor Ikenna Kelvin a customer of Ecobank Plc with Account No:533010936 your employer, by falsely representing to him that you are going to purchase Federal Government Treasury Bill in Ecobank Nigeria Plc for him as Bank Manager, which representation you knew to be false or did not believe to be true and by this conducts, you thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud related Offence Act No. 14 6V2006 but punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

Count two reads: “That you Ifeanyi Chukwu Azike ’M’ sometime between 2016 and 2017, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Federal High Court did forge Signature, Picture, Letter of Instruction to opened another parallel account as Ikenna Okafor Kelvin Account Number: 5333063028, knowing it to be false or with intent that it may in anyway be used or acted upon as genuine, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere to the prejudice of Ikenna Okafor Kelvin and Ecobank Plc your employer, you thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 1 (2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, CAP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended).”

Count three reads: “That you Ifeanyi Chukwu Azike ’M’ on or about 2016 and 2017, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did fraudulent convert to your use the sum of N411,000,000.00 (Four Hundred and Eleven Million Naira) being money fraudulently withdraw from your employer bank without their consent, and customer of your bank, Ecobank Plc for enabling you invest on behalf of the Customer, which you failed to deliver with aim of converting the illicit origin of the resources and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 15 (1) 2) and 15 (2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”

400 Suspected Thugs Nabbed By Police in Akwa Ibom State

The police in Akwa Ibom State yesterday morning arrested 400 suspected thugs in Uyo, the state capital. The suspects were arrested in their hideout in Ewet Housing Estate.

Police Inspector, Jeremiah Dogo, said the “arrest was made possible by the deployment of extra policemen to the state by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).”

Inspector Dogo said the suspects confessed that they were brought in from Bayelsa and Rivers states by PDP chieftains to help rig the general elections.

The hideout where the thugs were nabbed is believed to be owned by a PDP chieftain in the state.

The suspects are mostly indigenes of the two states.

Guns and ammunition were recovered from them.

Police say they have received reports of the various hideouts of the thugs and cultists that have come into the state in the last few days.

“We will make life unbearable for them,” a source in the state police command said.The APC in the state has hailed the police for the arrest.

The APC said the arrest has brought to fore the alleged statement by the director-general of the state government’s campaign council, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), that Governor Udom Emmanuel should prepare for war if he wanted to win the upcoming election.

The party also quoted the speaker of the state house of assembly, Onofiok Luke and Senator Bassey Albert as allegedly saying a few months ago that they would do everything possible to ensure the victory of the PDP in the general elections.

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, said he was not aware of the arrest of any group of persons said to be working for the party.

But the State Commissioner of police, Mr. Bashir Makama, who confirmed the arrests, said the police was still investigating the matter to find out if the suspects were PDP or APC thugs.

Makama said the police acted on intelligence report, hence carried out raids on suspected black spots in Uyo and its environs to forestall any breakdown of law and order during today’s residential election.

The Commissioner of Police, who was also silent on the number of suspects arrested in the sting operation, also said he was not aware of any vehicle caught with money in it.

Akpabio Clears Self From Fake ‘Letter Of Gratitude’ Going Viral On Social Media

General elections, the political sphere is being bombarded with a series of fake news items. The latest of such is being linked to a power broker from the South-South in the person of the immediate former governor of Akwa-Ibom State and a Senator representing Akwa-ibom North-West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Below is the reaction from the office of the amiable senator:

Re: Gratitude For Your Marvelous Support To Akwa Ibom APC

The attention of the former Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON has been drawn to a forged letter purportedly written by him to the Chief of Staff to the President titled: “Gratitude for your marvelous support to Akwa Ibom APC” and making the rounds in the social media.

We wish to state categorically that the letter never emanated from the Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio. It is a poorly crafted piece of forgery and the figment of the imagination of the authors.

A cursory look at the letter reveals the fakeness of the contents. For instance, the complimentary closing line reads, “Yours sincerely” and “Yours faithfully” in one letter!

With an imminent defeat in the coming polls, we have always known that desperate politicians will be up to some tricks to gain some political mileage, but we never imagined they could go to the extent of committing forgery just to malign an opponent.

Fortunately, the perpetrators are not ghosts. We have alerted security agencies to be on the lookout for those who have either published or shared the sham document for an invitation to shed more light on its source.

Once again, we wish to assure the teeming supporters of Senator Godswill Akpabio and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State and beyond to remain focused, steadfast and unshaken in their commitment to resoundingly vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all candidates of the party in the coming elections.

According to the immortal words of the great Spanish writer, Miguel de Cervantes, “truth will rise above falsehood as oil above water.”

Signed:

Anietie Ekong

Special Assistant (Media) to

Senator Godswill Akpabio

February 14, 2019.

Hon Michael Okon Enyong In Trouble, Why He May Be Denied Re-Election Over Criminal Records

The embattled member representing Uyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Michael O. Enyong, (aka Baba Ntan) risks being disqualified from seeking re-election for failure to disclose his past criminal records and convictions in his affidavit filed in support of his personal particulars of persons seeking election to the membership of the House of Representatives.

Certified true copies of the case information from Fort Bend County, Texas, USA, showed clearly that Michael O. Enyong had pleaded guilty to a case of theft and accordingly sentenced. He failed to disclose this in the INEC form he swore to on oath. It was averred that Hon Michael Enyong had knowingly concealed the fact of his conviction from his constituents to circumvent the law. His purported conviction occurred less than 10 years to the time he sought for and got elected into the Federal House of Representatives.

In Suit No: CV/1017/19 filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, his challenger Hon. Ekerete Ekpenyong is seeking the disqualification of Hon Enyong on the grounds of being an ex-convict and that he lied on oath having been sentenced in a criminal case of theft which he had been charged and pleaded guilty by a court in Fort Bend County, Texas, USA.

The Claimant is seeking a declaration that Hon Michael Enyong is not qualified to contest the 2019 election into the House of Representatives having circumvented the law by lying on oath and failing to disclose his past criminal records and convictions.Hon Ekerete Ekpenyong is also seeking a declaration of the Court declaring vacant the Federal House of Representatives representing Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency currently being occupied by Hon Michael Enyong and also an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Hon Michael Enyong  in 2015, and withdraw his candidature for the 2019 elections.

The claimant is also seeking an order of the court directing that Hon Michael Enyong immediately after delivery of judgment in the suit repay back to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria all salaries and allowances he has received as a Member of the House of Representatives between 2015 to 2019.

Hon Michael Enyong also committed perjury by lying on oath about his age and academic qualifications. For instance, according to information he provided on his Form CF001 he gave his date of birth as 31 August 1969 in his affidavit sworn to at the High Court Registry, Abuja dated 15thAugust 2018, when indeed, he was born on December 25, 1961.

The lawmaker also claimed that he has a PH.D in Environmental Engineering from Warren National University without any record of having done a Masters Degree anywhere having acquired a Bachelor of Science degree, Second Class in Applied Chemistry from the University of Uyo in 1999.According to legal analysts, the case against Hon Michel Enyong is water tight and PDP in Uyo Federal Constituency may be without a candidate in the forth coming National Assembly elections if the Court upholds the arguments of the Claimant to disqualify Hon Enyong on the grounds of being an ex-convict and that he lied on oath having been sentenced in a criminal case of theft which he had been charged and pleaded guilty to by a court in Fort Bend County, Texas, USA. Additionally, the contradictions in his birth certificates and sworn affidavits and his questionable educational qualifications may further lead to his disqualification.

Why GTBank MD, Segun Agbaje Is Not Supporting His Brother, Jimi’s Governorship Ambition

It is not for a lack of creative and catchy ideas that the governorship campaign of Jimi Agbaje is being described in many quarters as blasé and boring; it is majorly an issue of funding. The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, candidate’s major headache is lack of money.

At a period when even the national body of the party is in dire need of financial support given the non-availability of loose money as was the case in previous election seasons, Jimi has been running from pillar to post for money to prosecute his ambition. Yet, it is cul-de-sac everywhere he turns.

Even those who have are scared to support overtly or covertly for fear of being witch-hunted. With that channel blocked, or so, political stakeholders and observers have been asking why Jimi is not getting the desired financial support from his younger brother, Segun, who is managing director and chief executive officer of one of Africa’s biggest financial institutions, Guaranty Trust Bank.

Insiders are swearing by everything they hold sacred that Segun does not believe in his brother’s ambition any longer, especially with the political dynamics of Lagos State, and as such, is not supporting financially in any way. “Even though Segun was not MD in 2007 when Jimi first contested on the platform of the DPA (Democratic People’s Alliance), he stood by his brother. Jimi’s campaign that year remains one of the most sophisticated and far-reaching in the annals of electioneering in Lagos State,” recalled a source.

Segun effectively became MD of GTB in 2011 but Jimi did not contest that year on the premise that the incumbent then, Babatunde Raji Fashola, deserved a second term. Jimi came out again in 2015 on the PDP platform but lost to a newbie, Ambode. “Segun was there for him then. He supported him with all that he had and mobilised his friends and billionaire associates, believing that once his brother became governor, automatically, the account of the state government would move to the GTB,” said the source.

However, things didn’t pan out as planned but the consequences still haunt Segun. When the new administration came in, the state account was moved to Access Bank despite the pressure and propaganda mounted by GTB.

The insider said, “The state government made it clear to Segun that the state would have nothing to do with him and his bank as long as he continues to fraternise with the opposition.” It is in view of this that Segun has learnt to put his money where his mouth is.

How Leo Won A Million Hearts In 12 Months

With ever-increasing customer expectations of quick service and near real-time transactional support, United Bank for Africa (UBA) committed resources to Artificial Intelligence (AI) a year ago, birthing Leo, a Banking Chatbot that helps customers carry out key banking transactions anywhere, using mobile devices and personal computers. 

Leo can be accessed via Facebook or WhatsApp.

“Our customers are increasingly asking for mobile services that make their lives easier, and Leo is becoming a growing choice for his convenience and personal solutions,” says Austin Abolusoro, who heads Online Banking at UBA.

Leo combines the latest technology in AI; predictive analytics and natural language, to be a virtual financial assistant to customers, who can interact with it any way they choose, including texting or tapping options on their screen. Leo has proven to be an important financial assistant, helping users to search for transactions, view account history and balance, pay bills, as well as track spending trends. Leo is also developing interest in other aspects of users’ lives and currently helps them to check football scores and weather information. Leo will continue to learn and become more involved in the lives of users to better meet their needs and address their queries.

“As we continue to advance our work on AI-driven developments, it is important that we listen to our users today and further enhance Leo to align to client feedback in order to better meet and anticipate needs and even give them increased value as Leo clocks one,” Abolusoro adds.

This milestone reflects the bank’s continued focus on providing industry-leading digital capabilities as part of its high-tech, high-touch client experience.

Everything learnt over the last one year of Leo’s work will help UBA improve on its digital offerings, says Abolusoro, Head of online banking, who assured customers  of “nothing short of the very best innovation in the coming months”.

Leo is set to become a financial control centre for its wide range of users, offering them accessible and intelligent ways to manage their money. It will also be recommending ways to save money and automatically switch to the best value products available to the user.

Leo who speaks multiple languages and is extremely user friendly, has become the  preferred Banking Chatbot in Nigeria and the only available AI banking chatbot in 15 other countries across Africa, including Cameroon, Zambia, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Congo DRC, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and UBA’s latest subsidiary, Mali.

In 12 short months since he was launched, Leo has won several awards, including the Euromoney Award which aptly validates his dominance in the digital banking space. Euromoney is a globally renowned organisation which appraises more than 20 global product categories, best-in-class awards and the best Banks in over 100 countries around the world, recognising institutions that have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and momentum in the marketsin which they operate.

NDDC Pledges to Pay Contractors Promptly

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has assured its contractors and consultants that henceforth their payments will be paid promptly without unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks.

The NDDC Acting Executive Director Finance and Administration, EDFA, Mr. Chris Amadi, gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to the palace of Eze Apara Rebisi of Port Harcourt, Eze Victor Woluchem II.

Mr. Amadi affirmed that the NDDC director of finance had been charged to ensure that a more efficient process was applied in paying for projects and meeting contractor obligations. 

He said: “In a couple of days, we are going to start payment to contractors owed between N20million and below. There will be no need for contractors and consultants to come to the NDDC before they can get their payments. They can simply stay in their homes or offices and give us the necessary information.” 

The executive director said that the new management had resolved to fully discharge the NDDC mandate and intervene in specific projects that would impact on the lives of the majority of the people. “We want to right some wrongs and ensure that never again will our people suffer in the midst of plenty,” he said. 

According to Mr. Amadi, “Ikwere people are a dominant ethnic group in Rivers State. From available statistics Ikwere has over 55 per cent of the voting population of the state.” He regretted that the ethnic group, with high political sensitivities, never had an opportunity to be in the board or executive level of the NDDC, even from the days of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC. 

He stated further: “My appointment means a lot to the Ikwere people. They are very happy and I am also happy and humbled. We are very grateful to our leader, Rt. Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, for finding me worthy of recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari for this appointment.” 

Eze Victor Woluchem, received the NDDC Executive Director Finance and Administration in the company of Nyenwali Isiokpo, Eze Blessing Nwagor and Nyenweli Akpor, Eze Aniele Orlu-Iriebe.

The Port Harcourt monarch congratulated Mr Amadi on his appointment, describing it as breaking the glass ceiling for Ikwere people. He noted: “As the landlord of the NDDC headquarters, I have been pained in the past because Ikwerre is the dominant ethnic group in Rivers state and we have several oil wells. I don’t know why it took so long to have an Ikwerre son in the executive management of NDDC.”

In his own remarks, Eze Aniele Orlu-Iriebe, urged Ikwerre people to set politics aside and support their son. He advised the NDDC to adopt a bottom up approach to development so that communities would feel obliged to own the projects executed for them, adding that the Commission should shun the practice of abandoning projects.

Earlier, the Ikwere Chiefs and Elders Forum had gathered at a reception for the NDDC Executive Director Finance and Administration at the Autograph Event centre in Port Harcourt.

The Chairman of the forum, Chief Sonny Dike, thanked President Buhari and the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi for elevating their son to an executive position in NDDC. He appealed to Ikwere people to support their brother to succeed, stating that “no one succeeds without the advice of elders.”

How Leo Won a Million Hearts in 12 Months…More Than One Million Africans Now Bank On Leo

With ever-increasing customer expectations of quick service and near real-time transactional support, United Bank for Africa (UBA) committed resources to Artificial Intelligence (AI) a year ago, birthing Leo, a Banking Chatbot that helps customers carry out key banking transactions anywhere, using mobile devices and personal computers. 

Leo can be accessed via Facebook or WhatsApp.

“Our customers are increasingly asking for mobile services that make their lives easier, and Leo is becoming a growing choice for his convenience and personal solutions,” says Austin Abolusoro, who heads Online Banking at UBA.

Leo combines the latest technology in AI; predictive analytics and natural language, to be a virtual financial assistant to customers, who can interact with it any way they choose, including texting or tapping options on their screen. Leo has proven to be an important financial assistant, helping users to search for transactions, view account history and balance, pay bills, as well as track spending trends. Leo is also developing interest in other aspects of users’ lives and currently helps them to check football scores and weather information. Leo will continue to learn and become more involved in the lives of users to better meet their needs and address their queries.

“As we continue to advance our work on AI-driven developments, it is important that we listen to our users today and further enhance Leo to align to client feedback in order to better meet and anticipate needs and even give them increased value as Leo clocks one,” Abolusoro adds.

This milestone reflects the bank’s continued focus on providing industry-leading digital capabilities as part of its high-tech, high-touch client experience.

Everything learnt over the last one year of Leo’s work will help UBA improve on its digital offerings, says Abolusoro, Head of online banking, who assured customers  of “nothing short of the very best innovation in the coming months”.

   

Leo is set to become a financial control centre for its wide range of users, offering them accessible and intelligent ways to manage their money. It will also be recommending ways to save money and automatically switch to the best value products available to the user.

Leo who speaks multiple languages and is extremely user friendly, has become the  preferred Banking Chatbot in Nigeria and the only available AI banking chatbot in 15 other countries across Africa, including Cameroon, Zambia, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Congo DRC, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and UBA’s latest subsidiary, Mali.

In 12 short months since he was launched, Leo has won several awards, including the Euromoney Award which aptly validates his dominance in the digital banking space. Euromoney is a globally renowned organisation which appraises more than 20 global product categories, best-in-class awards and the best Banks in over 100 countries around the world, recognising institutions that have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and momentum in the markets in which they operate.