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Emefiele Awarded CBN Contracts To His Companies, Banker Tells Court

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2 months ago

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A banker, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbonaya, on Tuesday told to the court how the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, abused his office by awarding CBN contracts to his personal firms.

 

Emefiele is standing trial, alongside one Henry Omoile, before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.

 

In the 26 counts filed against him, Emefiele was accused of abuse of office and illegal allocation of $4.5bn, N2.8bn while he was CBN governor.

 

Ogbonna, who is the fifth prosecution witness, told the court on Tuesday that she never had any dealings with the ex-CBN governor but that she was receiving instructions from his wife, Mrs Margaret Emefiele, to transfer cash from CBN into their private company’s account.

 

She said apart from Mrs Emefiele she also received instructions from two other persons, Mr John Ogah and Mr Opeyemi Oludimu, who worked for the Emefiele.

 

The witness, who was led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court how she received the instructions via her official email, and other times through phone calls or WhatsApp.

 

She told Justice Oshodi that the companies that received the cash flow from CBN were Limelight Multidimensional Ltd, Kome Support Services Ltd; Ansbaswin Resources Ltd; and Mago Farm.

 

The witness testified that it was one Emmanuel who opened the accounts for Emefiele’s companies but that it was taken over by a new set of signatories in 2021.

 

She said the two signatories to the accounts are Mr Stephen and Mrs Patricia but that all transfer instructions that came to that account were instructed by Mrs Emefiele.

 

“Whenever she sent us instructions or sent it through the other two people who worked with them, I usually confirmed from her. All the transfers that came into that account were instructed by Madam Margaret Emefiele.

 

“Limelight manages the facilities of the CBN, located at Alakija. All transactions pertaining to power and fixing things that are not working were always done by the vendors.

 

“So far, Answabian was basically used to provide diesel to their vendors.

 

“They have a printing and minting company located at Ikoyi. For Kome, there were also facilities for the CBN guest house in Ikoyi.”

 

Ogbonna further told the court that between March 9, and 11, 2015, the account received cash flow from CBN, to the tune of N1, 792,593 and N18,869,400.

 

“On February 22, 2021, there was a cash flow of N42,988,758.75 from CBN; on July 21, 2022, there was a cash flow of N37,279,964.70; on October 21, 2022, there was a credit flow of N44,641,077.60; on May 10, 2023, there was a cash flow of N93,100,000, from CBN, among others.”

 

Earlier, Justice Oshodi granted Emefiele’s request to recall the first prosecution witness Monday Osazuwa, to enable the defence to cross-examine him afresh.

 

However, the case was adjourned till Jul

y 10 for the continuation of trial.

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Just In: Opay Begins Charging Of N50 Electronic Transaction Fee On Every 10k And Above….

Published

10 hours ago

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September 7, 2024

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Opay digital banking platform is set to apply a transfer fee of N50 for transactions exceeding N10,000 and above.

 

OPay has introduced a new fee for electronic transfers into both personal and business accounts, in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

 

 

Beginning September 9, 2024, there will be a one-time charge of N50 for transfers of N10,000 or more.

 

 

” On Saturday, the digital platform communicated to its valued customers via a text stating the reason for the deductions even though people are still struggling to survive.

 

In it’s statement, is says:

 

“Dear valued customers, please be informed that starting September 9, 2024, a one-time fee of N50 will be applied for electronic transfer of N10,000 and above paid into your personal or business account in compliance with the Federal Inland Revenue Service

regulations.”

 

 

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Our petrol to hit filling stations in 48hrs- Dangote

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4 days ago

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September 3, 2024

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Businessman, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that petrol produced from his 650,000 barrels per day refining facility will hit filling stations in the next 48 hours as modalities with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited are formalised.

Dangote said this on Tuesday during a press briefing announcing the formal production of petrol at the refinery.

“Our PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) can be in filling stations within the next 48 hours depending on NNPCL,” he said.

Asked to speak on the pricing of the product from his refinery, Dangote said, “It is an arrangement which is designed and approved by the Federal Executive Council led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As soon as it is finalised, which he (Tinubu) is pushing, once we finish with NNPC, it can be today, it can be tomorrow, we are ready to roll into the market.”

Last December, Dangote, Africa’s leading industrialist, commenced operations at his $20bn facility sited in Lagos with 350,000 barrels a day.

The refinery, which was initially troubled by regulatory battles, hopes to achieve its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by the end of the year.

The refinery has begun the supply of diesel and aviation fuel to marketers in the country and now petrol.

Dangote also added that the introduction of naira for crude will reduce the demand for foreign exchange by 40 per cent.

“I want to thank President Bola Tinubu for creating this idea of Naira for crude and Naira for the product. Doing that will give a lot of stability to the Naira and remove 40 per cent of the demand for dollars. That’s not just it, there is a lot of round tripping,” he stated.

He added that it would become possible to track loaded trucks, hence making it easier to compute the national
consumption.

 

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‘Eko Cares’: Grateful Beneficiaries praise Lagos Governor’s economic hardship alleviation initiatives

Published

5 days ago

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September 3, 2024

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Encomiums have continued to pour in on the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for the sustainable implementation of the ‘Eko Cares’ initiatives aimed at mitigating the current economic challenges experienced not only in the state, but across the country.
The ‘Eko Cares’ Initiatives, launched in April this year by Governor Sanwo-Olu, is the umbrella signature for several poverty-alleviating campaigns by the Lagos State Government, namely: ‘Alafia Eko’, ‘Ounje Eko’ Sunday Market, ‘Eko Fund Me’, ‘Alaafia Eko’, ‘Owo Isowo Eko’, and ‘Edinwo Owo Oko Eko’, all focused on lessening the burden of more than 500,000 Lagos households amid the current economic hardship in four critical sectors including transportation, education, health and agriculture.
These interventions are in line with the Lagos government’s undertaking to better the lives of its citizens in the 20 LGAS, and 37 LCDAs.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District 1, Dr. Funmilayo Bankole and other health practitioners who coordinated the campaigns in different locations noted that the ‘Alafia Eko’ is aimed at ensuring the health and wellbeing of Lagosians. “What we do here is to screen Lagosians for silent killers such as hypertension, diabetes, etc., and prevent these conditions from causing complications”, she said.
At the’ Alafia Eko’ intervention held in Mushin LGA, one of the beneficiaries, Mr Tajudeen Adebowale, expressed excitement, saying, “We are very happy about this initiative. May God continue to bless the governor to do even more, especially programmes like this healthcare initiative”.
Another beneficiary at the Meiran intervention outreach, Alhaja Ajani Badru could not hold back her joy saying, “We are grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for the free healthcare brought to us. Medications these days are very expensive and today, we got sufficient treatment at no cost”. Another beneficiary, Mr. Adekojo Samuel expressed similar sentiments, thanking the Governor for the eye tests, drugs, and eye glasses received.
Another beneficiary at the Isolo outreach, Mr. Iyanu Temituro said: “The programme is excellently beautiful, organised, and the medical personnel were very approachable. I’m enjoying two medical services for stooling and blood pressure”.
Mr. Abiodun Ayodele, a beneficiary from the Surulere outreach was also full of commendations. “I appreciate what the Lagos Governor has done. See the lots of drugs they gave me; at the same time, I got brand new eye glasses”.
Other beneficiaries from Apapa LGA were also full of praise for the Governor, dedicating songs in Yoruba to Governor Sanwo-Olu, describing him as a promise keeper. Among them were Mrs. Tawa Yusuf and Mrs. Oloofa Bola who got free eye glasses.
Others were Mrs. Aremu Lateefat, Mr. Rasheed Raheem, and Mrs Saratu Ishola, who all got free drugs and medicals. They described the health initiative as a huge achievement and a big relief for them.
On the success of the programme, Dr. Saheed Tajudeen, a volunteer at the Igbogbo, Ikorodu outreach expressed excitement with the turnout for ‘Alafia Eko’ initiative. “Lots of people in the community don’t usually visit our Primary Health Centre, and Lagos State has deemed it fit to bring medical care to their doorsteps. This is laudable”, he said.
Other locations visited in this phase of the ‘Alafia Eko’ health initiative include Ikorodu North LCDA and Ikotun LCDA.
‘Eko Cares’ is supervised by the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), a non-partisan body set up to advise the government on the various initiatives lined up to help the poor weather the current economic hardship in the country.

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