Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy- Ohanenye is currently cooling her heels in the cell of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged N138 million fraud.

The former Minister is being quizzed over alleged involvement in the misappropriation, violation of procurement processes, and diversion of public funds amounting to ₦138m.

The funds were allegedly misappropriated during the disbursement of the 2023 budgeted allocation for the ministry.

A top source within the commission squealed that Ohanenye arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 11 a.m. on Thursday and was still being interrogated by operatives regarding her alleged involvement in the fraud as the time of filling this report.

The source said, “Investigators are questioning former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, over her alleged role in the misappropriation, violation of procurement processes, and diversion of public funds totaling ₦138,413,253.89.

“She arrived at the commission’s headquarters around 11am on Thursday and is currently facing interrogators over her alleged involvement in the fraud.

Investigations by the EFCC revealed that funds donated for the P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative were diverted for her personal enrichment.”

Details later…..

An official from the American International School, Abuja, on Wednesday testified in the Federal High Court in a case of money laundering involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The official revealed that the former governor paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in school fees for his children.

Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, gave this testimony during the ongoing trial, where he appeared as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ojehomon confirmed that the payments covered Bello’s children’s tuition fees up until their graduation, with part of the amount paid upfront for future school fees.

Bello is facing a fraud charge amounting to N80.2 billion filed by the EFCC. During the trial, the prosecution presented financial records, including detailed statements from the school, showing payments made on behalf of Bello’s children.

In earlier testimony, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer at United Bank for Africa (UBA), had submitted documents showing transactions related to the school fees. The EFCC had previously alleged that just before leaving office, Bello paid $760,000 as an advance for his children’s school fees, which was later refunded following an investigation.

On Thursday, Ojehomon testified that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, facilitated the school fee payments. He explained, “Mr. Ali Bello contacted the American International School, Abuja, on Friday, August 13, to arrange payment for the school fees of the Bello children until they graduate. The school management accepted the payment.”

Ojehomon confirmed that the payments were made for four of Bello’s children, enrolled in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2, and also included fees for future children who were expected to start in August 2022, assuming space was available.

The amounts paid for each child included: $90,074 for the child in Grade 8, $87,470 for the child in Grade 6, $26,241 for the child in Grade 4, and $18,707 for the child in Grade 2.

The witness also identified a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello, detailing the prepayment arrangement.

EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) presented the school’s admission and prepaid tuition documents as evidence. Ojehomon further testified that a refund of $760,910.84 was made to the EFCC, confirming that the refund was transferred to an account at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The court also heard from Williams, the UBA witness, who submitted additional financial documents related to accounts managed under Bello’s administration. She testified that multiple withdrawals were made through cheques from the Kogi State Government House account, often broken into tranches of N10 million, with funds primarily issued to two individuals, Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.

Williams confirmed that, on December 12, 2018, ten transactions of N10 million each were processed in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu. Key signatories to the account were also named, including Christopher Enefola (Permanent Secretary), Onekutu Daniel (Chief Accountant), and Abdulsalam Hudu (Accountant).

However, under cross-examination, Williams admitted that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions related to the Kogi Government House account. Defense counsel, Daudu, noted that Bello’s name was absent from the documents presented, to which Williams confirmed it was not listed. She further clarified that she was not the account officer in charge of the Kogi Government House account, which was managed from Lokoja, Kogi State, rather than her branch in Area 3, Abuja.

Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for further proceedings.

The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is set to celebrate its 65th anniversary with a grand gala dinner, featuring His Excellency, Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, as the Special Guest of Honour.

The prestigious event will take place on April 12, 2025, at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the red carpet reception commencing at 5:00 PM.

The highlight of the evening will be the inauguration of Alhaji Sheriff Balogun as the 20th President of NACC.

Alhaji Balogun will also unveil his leadership team, while outlining strategic initiatives to strengthen bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and the United States.

As part of the evening’s programme, 40 new members will be inducted into the chamber, and the NACC multi-storey building project will be officially launched.

The gala will also honour outstanding Nigerian and American companies and distinguished individuals, including past presidents of the chamber, for their contributions to economic growth and trade relations.

The President of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Mr. Samaila Zubairu, will chair the event.

Dignitaries confirmed to attend include Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Founder and Chairman of Elizade Group, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo and Chairman of Odu’a Group, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru.

Others are Founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, Chairperson of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, Catherine Uju Ifejika, Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Ekeh.

His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, will serve as the Chief Host of the occasion.

For 65 years, the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of fostering bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and the United States, serving as the premier platform for business growth, networking, and investment opportunities.

The Chair of the Planning Committee, Dr.Ikenna Nwosu, says all the guests will be treated to one of the grandest anniversary galas ever experienced in the country.

*VICTOR OJELABI*

Senior PR Associate

Neo Media & Marketing | Chair, Publicity Committee, NACC Presidential Inauguration Dinner & Awards Night