Connect with us

News and Report

DUBAI LANDLORD: FORMER DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT IKE EKWEREMADU HOARDED ASSETS IN DUBAI

Published

on

In the wake of reports by Anti-corruption groups on the monumental looting of public funds by Nigerian Politicians including Governors and Senators who make up the major number of perpetrators of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), Investigations have revealed that among the mammoth number of Nigerian Politicians and Ex-Governors who have chosen Dubai as a preferred destination to stash their looted fund is the erstwhile Deputy Senate President Barrister Ike Ekweremadu.

A lawyer by profession, Senator Ekweremadu is from Amiri Local Government Area in Enugu State and a member of the People’s Democratic Party PDP. He is also the “permanent” representative of Enugu West Senatorial district in the red chambers, having served in the Nigerian Senate since May 2003 for four consecutive (6th, 7th, and 8th, 9th) assemblies. Findings reveal that during his tenure as Deputy Senate President in the 8th assembly, Ike Ekweremandu acquired two flats in Al Barsha South Fourth located in the heart of Dubai.

Documents attached to both properties show his date of birth as 5/12/1962, Passport Number A50194*** issued on 7/15/2016 with an expiry date of 7/14/2021, and Dubai contact number +971-50-5689. These properties according to sources, were allegedly not declared in his CCB form as required by law. Each flat in the luxurious area we further learned is estimated to be between 700,000 AED to 1,150,000 AED which is about N72,610,941 to N120,000,000 when converted to local currency.

It should be recalled that the Enugu-Born Senator had been in the news following the ex-parte motion for assets forfeiture filed against him in 2018 by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property to which he claimed not guilty despite about 22 properties linked to him. The Federal government subsequently asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze undeclared assets traced to him.

Also, in an act described as an ‘Unprecedented Naira bazaar’ by a committee of the National Assembly, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu in connivance with his Imo state counterpart, the former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, allegedly withdrew a princely total of about N7.75 billion of public funds in four years during his tenure to purportedly review sections of the 1999 Constitution, although it was not immediately clear how the lawmakers spent the outrageous funds, years of investigation later revealed that the duo may have taken advantage of UAE’s soft system to launder funds under the guise of investing in the booming real estate sector of the country’s economy.

It is strongly believed that the funds which the Senator used in acquiring the two flats in Dubai were those he allegedly got from Taxpayer’s money while he was in service. Senator Ekweremadu did not respond to calls and also did not reply to the SMS sent to him from our newsroom for his reaction as at press time.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

News and Report

Moment Of Praise Ends 2024 with Renewed Hope and New Beginnings

Published

on

By

 

The founder of Moment of Praise, an online weekly praise and worship session, Ranti Netufo, has said despite the challenges and difficulties experienced in the year 2024, there are many reasons to praise God for divine provisions in various ways.

He stated this while commenting on the special session of the programme slated for the last Sunday of the year titled “Renewed Hope and New Beginnings.”

The online praise and worship programme is holding from 6-8pm on Sunday December 29.

“The year 2024 has been filled with challenges. Despite the economic difficulties it has been amazing, with Moment of Praise, the Lord has kept us safe from the beginning of January until now. We all have a reason to praise God for His protection and mercy over us and our loved ones.

“Moment of Praise, an online weekly praise and worship programme, has provided avenue for us to praise and worship the Almighty God with top and popular gospel musicians.

“The programme climaxed for the year today with the programme themed “Renewed Hope and New Beginnings”, reference from Isaiah 43:19. 2024 has been an amazing year despite its own challenges, the Lord has given us moment to praise Him and celebrate.

‘’Today being the last Sunday of the year, we will be celebrating as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord with Moment of Praise team and Victor Praise. The programme will be streamed live on Facebook from 6-8pm,” he said.

Many gospel music stars have ministered to audience of the programme in the past, such as Tobe Alabi, Adeyinka Alaseyori, Evangelist Chigozie, Toluwanisings, Apekeola, Lekan Remilekun, Princess Ifemide, Paterson Okopi,Tope Flourish, Dare Justified, Bidemi Olaoba, Lady Evangelist Asonja Grace Awoete (Arole Eledumare), among several others.

Continue Reading

News and Report

More Troubles For Ex-Delta Gov. Okowa As EFCC Arrests Accountant General Over N1.3Trn Fraud

Published

on

By

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified investigations into the activities of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over an alleged N1.3 trillion fraud with the arrest of the Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs Joy Enwa.

The arrest of Enwa by the anti graft commission we gathered is part of investigations into the alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion linked to Okowa.

Other officials being questioned by the anti-graft agency, including a former Director of Finance and Administration.

EFCC sources hinted that the contentious funds include portions of the 13 percent derivation allocation meant for oil-producing states from the monthly Federation Account revenue.

It was widely reported that former Governor Okowa was detained at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt office in November over allegations of using his office to divert state funds for personal gain.

Among the assets allegedly tied to the fraud include shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Company and investments in the oil sector.

Spokesperson of the Commission, Dele Oyewale, who confirmed the arrest, said; “Mrs Enwa was detained for questioning over the ongoing investigation into the mismanagement of state funds under the former administration. Some other government officials have also been interrogated.”

Mrs. Enwa, who served as Deputy Accountant General during the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, was appointed Accountant General by Okowa in 2020.

When contacted to comment on her engagement with the anti-graft agency, Mrs. Enwa declined to provide details, stating; “I am not the right source to confirm this story. Please contact the EFCC for clarification.”

Continue Reading

News and Report

Alleged Debts: NCC Approves Disconnection Of Exchange Telecoms From MTN Company Network

Published

on

By

The disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications LTD from MTN Nigeria Network has been approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

MTN company was accused of failing to settle interconnect charges.

Exchange Telecommunications is a local and international interconnect carrier.

The NCC, a regulatory commission made this known in a public notice signed by its Public Affairs Director, Mr Reuben Muoka at the NCC office on Friday.

It was noted that the disconnection would subsist until otherwise determined by the commission.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission hereby notifies the public that approval has been granted for the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Ltd. (Exchange) from MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. (MTN) as a result of non-settlement of interconnect charges,” the NCC said.

It was also stated that the Exchange was notified of the application and was given the opportunity to comment and state its case.

The NCC, however, said having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, it determined that the Exchange does not have sufficient reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.

NCC said the disconnection of the Exchange Telecommunications to MTN was in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.

At the expiration of five days from the date of this notice, MTN would discontinue passing voice and data traffic through Exchange and will, thereafter, utilise alternative channels in interconnecting with other network service providers.

 

Continue Reading

Trending